Chandler Jones and his brother, Jon, boarded the same plane Sunday afternoon, a 3 p.m. flight from Atlanta to Syracuse.

Emotionally, though, they were headed in opposite directions. One was relieved, the other tense with anxiety.

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones was one day removed from defending his UFC light heavyweight belt against Rashad Evans at UFC 145. But Chandler, who had gone to support his brother in the fight, was still more than 96 hours from his decisive day -the 2012 NFL Draft.

‘I’m more anxious than nervous,’ Chandler said. ‘People ask me how many teams are interested, and I don’t have a number. All 32 teams showed interest so that’s what makes it so much fun.’

Jones declared for the draft early after finishing his junior season at Syracuse this fall. He totaled 38 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, despite missing five games with a torn ligament in his right knee. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound defensive end received a top-three round projection from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. But impressive performances at the NFL combine and Syracuse Pro Day, coupled with his diverse on-field skill set has helped him sky up the draft boards since deciding to leave SU. He is now projected to go in the mid-to-late first round in many mock drafts.

Exactly where he’ll fall, though, won’t be determined until after the draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock listed Jones as the top defensive end and the No. 9 overall prospect in the draft. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay called Jones arguably the most underrated talent in the draft and predicted him to be selected 12th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in his latest mock draft.

‘I think the most underrated player maybe in the entire draft and certainly among defensive linemen is Chandler Jones,’ McShay said during a teleconference on March 30. ‘… He’s played on the left side, the right side. He even can drop in coverage. He shows that on tape at times. I just think he’s strong, he’s physical, but he also has enough athleticism to get after the quarterback. 

McShay slotted Jones to go 16th to the New York Jets in his scenario-based mock draft back on April 11, while fellow ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has also penciled Jones in at No. 12 for the Seahawks in his most recent mock published Wednesday.

Another potential landing spot for Jones could be with the Baltimore Ravens at 29th overall.

His oldest brother, Art, a Ravens defensive tackle, played with Chandler at Union-Endicott High School before they played together for two years at Syracuse. He said a third opportunity to put his fist in the dirt next to his brother’s would be a ‘dream come true.’

But Art said that regardless of where Chandler goes -even if that ends up being an AFC rival -the bond of brotherhood won’t be broken.

‘No matter what, we’re a family,’ Art said. ‘Whoever drafts him, they’re going to get a great player. They’re going to get a guy that’s going to come and work every day.

‘… If he gets drafted to the Steelers, I’ll be happy for him. I don’t know if I’m going to wear that hat on draft day, but I’m definitely going to be in his corner.’

Art guided Chandler throughout their time as teammates, and the older brother is proud to see how far he has come.

But now Chandler has a chance to carve out his own legacy at the professional level.

‘If (Chandler) wants to outdo me and be in the NFL too, then he just has to really start believing in his gifts and his abilities, and the rest is history,’ Art said.

On Thursday, Chandler will stay in his hometown of Endicott.

He’ll relax with friends and family at Bones’ house, receiving the same comfort he provided Bones before UFC 145 last weekend.

But neither relaxation nor his rapidly rising stock can ease the tension that’s consumed him since he boarded the plane with Bones in Atlanta. Only a call from his first NFL employer Thursday night will turn Jones’ anxiousness to relief.

After that, he’ll book his next flight.

‘I can go anywhere,’ Jones said. ‘In three days, I could be living in California or Texas. You never know.’

sebail01@syr.edu

Published on April 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1