Former Syracuse free safety Anthony Smith was selected exactly where and when he was expected to be drafted. It was a rare instance of predictability for the NFL draft. However, for the other SU seniors, it was another year of having to endure the ultimate waiting game.

When it finally ended, a total of four Syracuse players had been drafted. Besides Smith, who was drafted in the third round Saturday, offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, defensive ends James Wyche and Ryan LaCasse all were picked in the later rounds of the 2006 NFL draft on Sunday.

Smith had been reported by draft experts as a mid-to-late third-round pick. Additionally, it was reported the Pittsburgh Steelers were showing interest in the 2005 All-Big East team member. There were no surprises here. Smith, the 83rd overall selection in the draft, was chosen to join the roster of the defending Super Bowl champions.

Smith was a difficult player for draft analysts to rate. He tied for second in the nation in interceptions last year, yet his inconsistent play worried some scouts. The Steelers should make the perfect fit for Smith because they lost their starting free safety from last year, Chris Hope, to free agency.

In fact, Smith’s agent Ken Sarnoff has heard comparisons of Smith to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro free safety Brian Dawkins.

When no other Orange players were drafted through four rounds, the draft started to become reminiscent of the 2005 NFL draft, when only one SU player (Adam Terry) was drafted.

But eventually, one was picked in the fifth round and two in the seventh. LaCasse, the next highest-profile player after Smith and the other 2005 All-Big East team member, was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round.

‘It all worked out in the end,’ LaCasse said. ‘There’s definitely no way of really predicting anything at all. It all goes out the window and it’s tough to sit through every round.’

Like the Steelers, LaCasse will be joining a powerful defense with the Ravens. LaCasse was drafted as a linebacker. While he attempts to transition into his new position, he will be receiving advice from one of the most respected and skilled players at the position, middle linebacker Ray Lewis – a benefit LaCasse enthusiastically anticipates.

The most surprising pick of the day was Ojinnaka to the Atlanta Falcons six picks into the fifth round. It became the second year in a row an offensive tackle from Syracuse was selected in the draft. Terry was taken with the last pick of the second round to the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.

Ojinnaka also was another mystery for scouts. SU head coach Greg Robinson said draft experts loved Ojinnaka’s length and size. His blocking technique, however, was a problem. The Falcons were willing to take on the challenge of developing the 6-foot-5, 292-pound SU senior into a skilled NFL lineman.

It was not until the final round when the set of SU defensive ends of Wyche and LaCasse were drafted. The two were selected within six picks of each other by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore. LaCasse said they were both quick to congratulate each other once they both saw their names finally scroll across the bottom of their television sets.

After underachieving in his senior season at Syracuse, Wyche was expected to fall into the sixth or seventh round. But an excellent showing at the Senior Bowl in which he was named East-West Shrine Game MVP was supposed to vault Wyche back into the fourth round.

Still, the wait should not bother Wyche too much. He will now be joining a Jaguars defense that was ranked sixth in the NFL last year. This seems to be the type of team Wyche was looking to play for in the pros.

‘(It’s) important (Wyche) goes to a team that truly has an excellent coaching staff and a good defensive line coach where he can continue to develop,’ said Wyche’s agent, Alan Herman.

Although it took longer than expected, LaCasse is eager to join the vaunted Baltimore defense. His excitement about reaching the next level is an attitude often echoed by players who have persevered through the draft.

‘I’m really excited to be able to play.’ LaCasse said. ‘It is an honor to step onto the field with some of those guys and be around that kind of atmosphere.’

Published on April 30, 2006 at 12:00 pm