Former Syracuse football players who didn't make 53-man NFL rosters on Tuesday afternoon have signed on with pro teams' practice squads, according to official announcements.
Among those 'Cuse alumni to make a practice squad is Orange record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord, who was waived by his hometown Philadelphia Eagles but then signed on with their practice squad, the team said in a release.
McCord, the transfer from Ohio State, shattered several Atlantic Coast Conference and 'Cuse program records as a senior in the 2024 season, when Syracuse football went 10-3 overall. He threw for 136 yards for Philadelphia in the Eagles' final preseason game, but McCord didn't play super well in the preseason. Philadelphia picked him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Syracuse football alums have inked NFL practice-squad deals.
Jackson Meeks, an All-ACC wide receiver for the Orange in 2024, has signed on with Detroit's practice squad after the Lions had waived him on Tuesday. He had a stellar preseason with 11 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns. As was noted on Detroit's Web site, Meeks has "a lot of upside to his game."
Over in Dallas, the Cowboys have signed former 'Cuse linebacker Justin Barron and former Syracuse football defensive back Alijah Clark to their practice squad after both were waived as 53-player NFL rosters were revealed.
Former Orange star defensive end Fadil Diggs didn't make New Orleans' 53-man roster, but the Saints have signed him to their practice squad. New Orleans selected Diggs in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Maximilian Mang, a former Syracuse football tight end from Germany, has signed on with the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, which is awesome. For the Orange as a senior in 2024, he was an excellent blocking tight end in both run and pass situations.
Also, New England has claimed former Syracuse football and Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito off waivers. DeVito, on Tuesday, was waived by the New York Giants, and now he's headed to the Patriots. In two seasons with the Giants, DeVito completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,358 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Handful of waived #Titans NOT expected to be part of the practice squad, per multiple sources:
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) August 27, 2025
• CB Clarence Lewis
• EDGE Desmond Evans
• S Joshuah Bledsoe
• CB Davion Ross
Former 'Cuse All-ACC defensive back Clarence Lewis had been waived by Tennessee on Tuesday, and he wasn't expected to be a part of the Titans' practice squad, according to reports. I'll keep an eye out for where Lewis ends up next.