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Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord is declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and no longer pursuing a fifth-year NCAA waiver, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday. McCord had previously filed a waiver to the NCAA to receive a fifth year of eligibility, which was denied, but he chose to fight the ruling through an appeals process, syracuse.com reported on Dec. 20.

“With the way everything played itself out and what I’m hearing in terms of feedback at the draft, it just makes sense to go, after weighing all the options out,” McCord told ESPN.

McCord leaves SU as its greatest single-season passer of all time. He totaled a program-record and Atlantic Coast Conference-record 4,779 passing yards, adding 34 touchdowns — another Syracuse record — and 10 wins. McCord was 10th in Heisman voting, becoming the Orange’s first player since Dwight Freeney in 2001 to finish in the top 10.

The All-ACC signal-caller capped his campaign off with his best work yet: a 453-yard, five-touchdown performance in SU’s Holiday Bowl win over Washington State, where he set the ACC single-season yards record.

“To be sitting here and have that record now, it’s crazy to see how everything comes full circle,” McCord said postgame.

The circle McCord spoke of started in Columbus, Ohio. The former Ohio State five-star recruit started all 12 regular-season games as a junior in 2023, passing for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He began the year 11-0 but threw two picks in a 30-24 loss to Michigan in the Buckeyes’ regular-season finale.

To Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, one loss was unacceptable. McCord wasn’t guaranteed a starting job in 2024, so he unexpectedly hit the transfer portal. Syracuse head coach Fran Brown had northeast ties with McCord and made an aggressive pitch, eventually earning McCord’s commitment on Dec. 17, 2023.

Fast forward to the end of November. This time, in the regular-season finale, McCord unleashed a 380-yard, three-touchdown day in the air to lead Syracuse to a stunning 42-38 upset win over then-No. 6 Miami, knocking the Hurricanes out of the ACC title game.

Meanwhile, in Columbus, McCord’s replacement, Will Howard, threw two interceptions and led Ohio State to 10 points in an embarrassing loss to heavy underdog Michigan. On the same day, McCord outdueled future first-round pick Cam Ward, and he got some sweet revenge, too.

“I thought he was the best quarterback in the country at the time,” Brown said of McCord’s transfer from Ohio State. “And right now, (he’s) proving that he is the best quarterback in the country.”

McCord’s accuracy from a clean pocket, ability to get the ball out quickly and sneaky good arm make him an NFL prospect with plenty of upside. Even with his qualities and gaudy numbers this past season, ESPN ranked him as the No. 11 quarterback in its top 12 quarterbacks list released in late November. McCord will participate in front of NFL scouts on Jan. 30 at the East-West Shrine Bowl as he looks to increase his draft stock.

Published on January 10, 2025 at 2:07 pm

Contact Cooper at: ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews