Kyle McCord Declares for the NFL

Syracuse, N.Y. — Kyle McCord has officially announced he will be entering the NFL draft, marking a significant turn for Syracuse football as the team prepares for the 2025 season.

After transferring from Ohio State, McCord was initially expected to have a one-year stint at Syracuse. However, he had sought an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA until recently revealing to ESPN that he would abandon that pursuit. He feels confident in the feedback received from NFL scouts and is ready to embark on his professional career.

Implications for Syracuse's Roster

This decision presents an opportunity for Syracuse to reconstruct its roster for 2025, clarifying their quarterback situation and freeing up salary cap space that can be allocated to enhance other positions as one of their highest-paid players departs.

While McCord's departure paves the way for future planning, it also leaves Syracuse with a number of inexperienced quarterbacks as they prepare for a challenging schedule. They kick off the season against Tennessee on August 30 in Atlanta, with other notable games lined up against powerhouse teams such as Notre Dame, Clemson, and Miami (Fla.).

Challenges Ahead

The upcoming season is daunting, especially considering Syracuse is set to lose 17 key contributors from the previous year's roster—this includes three transfers in the secondary that weren’t listed on the end-of-season depth chart. Such high turnover could keep the Orange off many national radars as they head into a crucial rebuilding phase.

Quarterback Candidates

Among the candidates vying for the starting quarterback role is Rickie Collins, a former LSU transfer and four-star prospect. With only seven passes thrown and 38 yards completed in two seasons, he represents the potential and uncertainty facing Syracuse. Other quarterback options available include seasoned backup Michael Johnson Jr. and redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams—both familiar with the offensive scheme. Additionally, true freshman Luke Carney will join their ranks soon, further shiftings gears for the upcoming season.

Overall Assessment

As Syracuse prepares for life after McCord, they are not just looking to fill the quarterback position but are also dealing with a major overhaul on the offensive line, losing starting center J’Onre Reed to USC as part of this offseason's transition.

McCord’s significant contributions in the past season, in which he broke multiple school and ACC records and led the team to a 10-3 record—their best performance since 2018—will certainly be missed. His strong season undoubtedly factored into his decision to pursue professional football ahead of the NFL Draft, set to take place from April 24-26.

As McCord shifts his focus to the East-West Shrine Bowl and other pre-draft evaluations, Syracuse will need to concentrate on the future, with a clear vacancy at quarterback and head coach Dino Babers facing an essential moment in reestablishing a competitive program.

Conclusion

Will they be able to rise and shine without their star quarterback? Stay tuned, Syracuse fans—the journey might just get even more exciting!