Syracuse hasn't had a player selected early in the NFL Draft in quite some time.

DT Jay Bromley going in the 3rd round (74th overall) to the New York Giants in 2014 is their highest recent pick. 

T Justin Pugh their latest 1st round pick, going to the Giants in 2013.

Cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu will likely split the difference in the 2021 draft, explaining what a team will get with their selection.

"Big, long corner," Melifonwu said during his Pro Day. "Very physical. Just an all-around player. Plays man well. Plays zone well. Moves very well for size. Moves the same as a dude that's 5'11" or a dude that's 6'. So I feel the size is just an added plus. It's not a negative."

Melifonwu checks in at 6'2" and 205 lbs with a 78.5 inch wingspan. He showcased his ability to move at that size during his Pro Day, clocking a 4.48 second time in the 40-yard dash plus recording a 41.5 inch vertical jump.

While those numbers pop, Melifonwu's production at Syracuse does not. He grabbed just 3 interceptions in 29 career games with the Orange, 19 starts. 

"Picks get you paid and everything, but I feel as a cornerback there's definitely more to that," Melifonwu explained. "There's definitely more to picks. Sometimes picks is right place, right time. Sometimes it really depends if you play a lot of zone and your eyes are on the quarterback. It can depend if your d-line getting pressure, making the quarterback make mistakes. Obviously you have to be a ball player to get picks as well... but also at the same time picks do get you paid as well."

Melifonwu played both man and zone coverage during his time with the Orange. Some wonder if his size better caters him to moving back to safety.

"At Syracuse I kind of already knew what the safeties did," Melifonwu said. "I played corner, but I knew what the safeties responsibilities were and with meetings I've been getting quizzed on both. I feel like mentally I can definitely do it and athletically I can definitely do it. I haven't been actually asked to do it... but I'll be happy to do that if any team wants me to do it. I have no problem doing it."

Melifonwu says he has spoken with the Bills during the pre-draft process. 

He is a projected 2nd round selection.