Chris Thorner is everything any coach could ever want in a football player.

He’s strong, as his 6-foot, 4-inch, 312-pound frame suggests. He’s athletic, having played both basketball and football throughout high school. He’s smart – an avid history buff – and he’s a leader.

When it comes to his play on the field, Thorner is a physical and controlling defensive lineman – a ‘big, strong, powerful football player,’ Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson said. Robinson even went as far as likening his nose tackle to all-pro Ted Washington of the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins’ Keith Traylor.

Thorner attended high school at Northwest Catholic High in West Hartford, Conn., where, as a New Haven Register and Hartford Courant All-State player, he recorded 75 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior defensive end, and surrendered no sacks in 700 pass plays on the offensive line as an upperclassman.

In fact, it was Thorner’s play on the offensive side of the ball that brought him to SU. After a redshirt season in 2002, Thorner appeared in five games as an offensive lineman.

At the end of 2003, however, Syracuse graduated two seniors from the defensive line, and Thorner agreed to change sides.

In the early going it was a learning experience for the sophomore, but after appearing in all 12 games, recording 23 total tackles, deflecting one pass and recovering a fumble in 2004, Thorner came to feel comfortable with his new position.

Defensive line coach Tim Cross wasn’t on staff when Thorner made the switch, but is awfully glad the move occurred.

‘I thank my lucky stars he’s on defense now,’ Cross said. ‘He’s a huge part of what we’re doing. He’s doing a great job.’

The change to defense was something Thorner believed not only helped the team, but benefited him.

‘My mentality is more of a D-lineman,’ Thorner said. ‘I like to be aggressive out there and go for the ball.’

His aggressiveness has shown on the field already. Through four games he is almost halfway to his tackle total from all of last season while picking up a half tackle for a loss and one quarterback hurry.

Thorner’s work ethic and mentality not only help him, but rub off on his teammates as well.

‘They feed off his energy,’ Cross said. ‘He can physically destroy a play. They feed off that, the guys have confidence in him that he’s gonna play hard every time.’

As tough and aggressive as he is on the field, he’s a totally different person off it. Cross said his tackle is still tough-minded and hard working but also intelligent. In fact, one day when Thorner walked into Cross’ office, the two didn’t discuss game plans or strategies. They spoke about history. According to Cross, it all goes to show how well-rounded he is.

Something else somebody wouldn’t expect from a physical football player is highlighted hair.

‘You wouldn’t think that,’ Thorner said. ‘I’m a totally different person. When you put on that helmet you’ve got to be a certain way.’

The people from West Hartford, Conn., would probably expect all of what you get from Thorner, however. At Northwest Catholic and in the surrounding community, Thorner has become an icon.

Northwest Catholic Athletic Director John Shukie explained that when Thorner returns home and uses the weight room, students gather around the big tackle in awe.

‘He’s a tremendous role model for some of the kids,’ said Shukie. ‘We think the world of Chris here.’

Thorner’s high school football coach, Mike Tyler, called Chris a ‘tremendous leader,’ saying he made an impact not just with the kids on the field but off the field as well.

According to Tyler, everyone in the West Hartford community have today circled on their calendars, the day SU will play at UConn.

‘The people in the community here are looking forward to that game and watching Chris,’ Tyler said.

With less than two years left on his college eligibility, there are high expectations for Thorner at SU. Robinson said he awaits outstanding things from him, while Cross said, ‘The sky’s the limit.’

Thorner is shooting pretty high himself. He has in mind the top prize – the NFL.

‘Obviously, every player in Division I would like to go onto the NFL,’ Thorner said. ‘If I keep working (it’s within reach).’

Published on October 5, 2005 at 12:00 pm