Andre

Cisco

Cisco (6'1"/209) saw his 2020 season come to a premature end, as he suffered a torn ACL after colliding with a teammate during pregame warmups ahead of the Orange’s September matchup with Georgia Tech. But the standout safety had done enough in the two seasons prior to merit serious interest as an NFL prospect, with some draft analysts believing that Cisco could be a Day 2 selection this spring. One reason why is his explosiveness, in Hodgkinson’s opinion. “Cisco is an impressive athlete,” Hodgkinson wrote. “I don’t think he’s quite an elite athlete overall, but he does have one elite trait in his explosiveness. The Syracuse safety can easily generate immense amounts of momentum out of his breaks, and his closing speed shows up at all ranges.” The knee injury may complicate things when it comes to where Cisco is ultimately picked, but the safety could wind up being a steal if he slips far enough down the board.

Opting out of the 2020 season was a formality -- Cisco is out for the season after suffering a freak lower-body injury in pregame warmups ahead of the Georgia Tech game a few weeks ago when he collided with a teammate. He’s been inactive the past few games. Cisco, a preseason AP first-team All-American, intercepted 13 passes in college, the highest active total in the FBS. In August, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Cisco (6'0/205) as the No. 2 draft-eligible safety in college football. At the time, Brugler wrote that Cisco was considered a top-60 prospect by multiple NFL scouts. Cisco is a ballhawk in coverage but needs to get better at tackling in space.

Losing Cisco (6'0/209) is a huge blow to the Syracuse defense, as the junior safety is considered by many to be one of the top draft-eligible safeties in college football. After accounting for three tackles and an interception in Syracuse’s September 12 loss to North Carolina, Cisco was responsible for eight tackles in a loss to Pittsburgh the following week. He hasn’t played since, and according to Babers the junior safety is done for the year. The question now is whether or not Cisco has played his final game in a Syracuse uniform, as some scouts believe that he’s a top-60 draft prospect.

Cisco (6'0/205) is ranked second on Brugler’s list of the top draft-eligible safeties in college football, writing that he’s considered to be a top-60 prospect by multiple NFL scouts. While the junior has been excellent when it comes to picking off passes, tallying 12 in his two seasons at Syracuse, that desire to make big plays can come back to bite him at times. “Once his back is turned to the line of scrimmage, he must do a better job of feeling the pass and getting his head turned to locate the ball,” Brugler wrote. “And in the run game, Cisco needs to better calm his feet to break down in space and eliminate the open-field missed tackles.” Cisco will be a key player for the Orange this fall, as Syracuse looks to rebound from a disappointing 2019 campaign.

Cisco has been a playmaking machine in his two years with the Orange, but was particularly impressive in his freshman campaign when he posted an 88.8 coverage grade from PFF and allowing just 274 yards in 490 pass-coverage opportunities. That number dropped to 61 last year, however; allowing 376 yards on 304 snaps. “That said, he did continue to show his playmaking ability by totaling 10 combined pass breakups and interceptions to bring his two-year combined total to 25, seven more than any other safety,” Treash writes. Cisco (6'0/203) is getting 2021 draft hype, and if he continues to show that playmaking ability in 2020, he likely is one of the first safeties off the board in April if he does enter the draft.

“Whether it be a receiver, hybrid tight end, or elusive running back out of the backfield, Cisco has the technique, ball skills, and closing speed to defend a myriad of pass catchers, giving teams the flexibility to move him around formations as a versatile chess piece,” DiCecco writes of the 6-foot, 203-pound junior. Cisco is the definition of a ball-hawking safety -- he currently holds the FBS lead for career interceptions (among active players) with 12 through his first two years of college ball. In an early (very very early) two-round mock draft for 2021, DiCecco’s colleague Neal Driscoll projects Cisco as a late second-round selection.

Cisco (6'0/203), who suffered the lower body injury during Syracuse’s Sept. 14 loss to Clemson, has not appeared in a game since. While the sophomore did travel with the team to Thursday’s loss at NC State and was in uniform, he was not fit to see any game action. After hosting Pitt, the Orange will visit Florida State on October 26. And with Cisco having appeared in just three games this season, you have to wonder if Syracuse will eventually consider the possibility of a redshirt.

Cisco (6'0/203) is a staple for the Orange defense. A dominant force at free safety last season as well, Cisco had 19 tackles and two interceptions in 2019 before missing last week’s game against Western Michigan. It’s unclear how soon Babers meant when he said it, but he added that their return depends on how much quality rest they can get before this Saturday’s game against Holy Cross. Babers did not say Cisco would play this week, but it sounds like there is a chance he will be good to go.

Cisco (6'0/198) received a number of all-freshman team honors at the end of the 2018 campaign. And rightfully so. His seven interceptions tied for the NCAA lead and he posted a mouthwatering PFF coverage grade of 88.8 when all was said and done. All-ACC recognition for the coming campaign could be very well be within reach so long as the sophomore keeps a healthy development.