Syracuse Football: Star Oronde Gadsden II hauls in AP All-America honors

The Associated Press disclosed its preseason All-America teams ahead of the 2023 campaign on Monday, and Syracuse football star tight end/wide receiver Oronde Gadsden II deservingly made the cut.

The 6-foot-5, 223-pound junior was named to The AP’s second team as a tight end. This is the latest in a string of preseason national and Atlantic Coast Conference accolades for Gadsden, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and put forth a tremendous sophomore season on the Hill in 2022, when the Orange went 7-6 overall and made it to a bowl game.

The Big Ten Conference has the most players on The AP’s All-America first squad, at 12, followed by the Southeastern Conference with seven. This isn’t much of a surprise, as national pundits by and large deem the Big Ten and the SEC as the top two leagues in college football.

A handful of ACC players received preseason All-America honors from The AP, although I didn’t include Notre Dame guys, since the Fighting Irish is an independent in football. On the first team are Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse and Miami safety Kam Kinchens.

Syracuse football star TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II is an Associated Press preseason All-American.

Joining Oronde Gadsden II on the second squad are North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, Boston College guard Christian Mahogany, Clemson all-purpose player Will Shipley, Clemson interior lineman Tyler Davis, Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter and North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray.

Last week, ESPN included Gadsden in its preseason top-100 national player rankings, with the Orange standout checking in at No. 97. A term ago, Oronde Gadsden II was an All-ACC first-team performer, catching 61 passes for 969 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

He has made the preseason watch list for two national awards, the 2023 Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) and the 2023 Maxwell Award (most outstanding player in the sport). Not too long ago, the ACC’s media poll placed Oronde Gadsden II on the conference’s preseason first team.

He’s also on the preseason 2023 All-ACC first squad, according to both Pro Football Focus and Athlon Sports. Noted college football expert Phil Steele, who thinks the ‘Cuse is in store for a solid 2023 campaign, has Gadsden on his preseason All-America third unit.

Syracuse football opens its 2023 stanza on Saturday, Sept. 2, when the Orange will host fellow Central New York team Colgate beginning at 4 pm from the JMA Wireless Dome.

The ACC’s preseason media poll, released toward the beginning of August, situated Syracuse football at a projected No. 10 in the league’s standings. Numerous other national pundits are predicting the ‘Cuse to finish around No. 10 in the ACC as well.