Syracuse Football: 5 players invited to NFL Scouting Combine, but several got snubbed

Five former Syracuse football players have landed invites to the upcoming 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, according to a list disclosed on Thursday, although from my perspective, several former Orange players may have gotten snubbed as well.

Per an announcement on nfl.com, 329 prospects received invites to this year's combine, which will take place from February 24 through March 3 in Indianapolis. By the way, the NFL Network and NFL+ will provide live coverage of the combine beginning on February 27.

The former 'Cuse players who were invited to the combine are quarterback Kyle McCord, running back LeQuint Allen Jr., tight end Oronde Gadsden II, defensive end Fadil Diggs and defensive back Alijah Clark.

All these guys recently participated in collegiate all-star games, including the East-West Shrine Bowl from Arlington, Texas, and the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Ala. This past season, as Syracuse football went 10-3 overall, was ranked No. 20 in the final Associated Press top-25 poll and won its bowl game, Gadsden was an All-American and resided on the All-ACC first team.

McCord, who set numerous 'Cuse program and Atlantic Coast Conference single-season records in his lone term on the Hill, was on the All-ACC second team and finished No. 10 in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2024. Recently, the 2025 NFL Draft buzz surrounding McCord has continued to climb.

Allen and Diggs, meanwhile, picked up All-ACC honorable mentions for their performances during the most recent stanza. A huge congrats to Kyle, LeQuint, Oronde, Fadil and Alijah for scoring invites to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine!

A few former Syracuse football players who I thought would have received combine invites.

Naturally, this is solely my opinion, but I think that guys such as wide receiver Jackson Meeks, offensive tackle Savion Washington, linebacker Justin Barron and linebacker Marlowe Wax Jr. potentially should have been invited to the upcoming combine as well.

Meeks was part of the Orange contingent at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Wax played in the recent Hula Bowl from Orlando, Fla., while Barron competed in the Senior Bowl.

In 2024, Meeks tallied more than 1,000 receiving yards and was named to the All-ACC second team. Washington, Barron and Wax all secured All-ACC honorable mentions for the latest campaign, and I should also mention that former Syracuse football cornerback Clarence Lewis was on the All-ACC third squad.

While it's a bummer that some of these former Orange standouts weren't invited to the combine, Syracuse football does hold an annual Pro Day for former 'Cuse players with many NFL scouts on hand. Last year's Orange Pro Day occurred in mid-March of 2024.