Syracuse DE leaving early for NFL Draft

As Dino Babers looks to begin the rebuilding process at Syracuse next year, he’ll have to do so without the team’s best defensive lineman from this season. According to ESPN college football writer Joe Schad, Orange defensive end Ron Thompson will enter the 2016 NFL Draft.

Thompson was a third-team All-ACC selection as a junior this fall. The Southfield, Michigan, native started all 12 games in 2015, logging 35 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also was third in the nation with four forced fumbles.

Thompson is one of three ACC underclassmen currently planning on leaving for May’s draft. Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson and Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller also intend to enter the draft.