Four SU football players invited to NFL Combine

SU Athletics announced Wednesday that defensive end Chandler Jones, tight end Nick Provo, safety Phillip Thomas and offensive lineman Andrew Tiller were all invited to the 2012 NFL Combine. The event, which occurs every year before the NFL Draft, is set to be held in Indianapolis from Feb. 22-28 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Jones, a 2011 All-Big East First Team selection, and Thomas both had a year of elligibility remaning at SU but chose to declare for the draft. Jones finished his career ninth all-time for the most tackles for a loss, 27, by a Syracuse defenseman.

Provo and Tiller were also All-Big East First Team selections this past season. Provo finished his career with the most catches by a tight end in SU history with 92, and had the longest streak of consecutive games with a catch for a tight end, 25. Tiller started 25 of 35 career games at the school and blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his last two seasons.

Not invited to the combine were running back Antwon Bailey and wide receiver Dorian Graham.