One former Syracuse football player is still in the hunt for the 2024 Super Bowl.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, a former cornerback at Syracuse University, is thriving in the safety position with the Detroit Lions. He recorded 9 total tackles (6 solo), a game-high 1.5 sacks and two QB hits in the Lions’ 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Lions are advancing to the NFC championship game for just the second time in team history, playing the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The winner will face the AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs or the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11.
If Melifonwu reaches the Super Bowl, he will be the first Orange alum to play in the NFL championship since Dwight Freeney and the Atlanta Falcons lost to the New England Patriots in 2017. A total of 28 Syracuse football players have appeared in the Super Bowl, with 24 of them winning the league’s Lombardi Trophy.
Melifonwu was a third-round pick by the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft. He earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2020 and recorded 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack over three seasons at SU.
Four other players with Syracuse ties were eliminated from the NFL playoffs this weekend. Melifonwu’s Lions sent the Bucs packing; Tampa Bay’s lineup includes former SU running back Sean Tucker and former Christian Brothers Academy linebacker SirVocea Dennis. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Chiefs meant the end of the year for former Syracuse University defensive end Kingsley Jonathan and former Onondaga Central High School running back Latavius Murray; Murray caught 3 passes from Bills QB Josh Allen for 27 yards in the AFC Divisional Round.
Here’s how football players with Syracuse and Central New York ties did in the second round of the 2024 NFL playoffs:
Ifeatu Melifonwu, S, Detroit Lions
The former SU cornerback, who moved to the safety position last year, had 9 total tackles (6 solo) and a game-high 1.5 sacks, helping the Lions reach the NFC championship game for just the second time in team history.
Last game: Lions 31, Bucs 23
Next game: Lions at 49ers, Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
* * * * *
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The running back out of Syracuse saw limited action on offense in his rookie season.
Last game: Lions 31, Bucs 23
Next game: Bucs eliminated from playoffs
* * * * *
SirVocea Dennis, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former Christian Brothers Academy football player played just one snap against the Detroit Lions.
Last game: Lions 31, Bucs 23
Next game: Bucs eliminated from playoffs
* * * * *
Latavius Murray, RB, Buffalo Bills
The former Onondaga Central High School football star caught three passes for 27 yards, but did not have any carries against Kansas City in the AFC Divisional Round.
Last game: Chiefs 27, Bills 24
Next game: Bills eliminated from playoffs
* * * * *
Kingsley Jonathan, DE, Buffalo Bills
Jonathan, a second-year defensive lineman out of Syracuse University, saw limited action on defense this season.
Last game: Chiefs 27, Bills 24
Next game: Bills eliminated from playoffs
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