Syracuse Football: Kyle McCord an ACC legend, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy

Syracuse football record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord wrapped up his senior season on the Hill in a wonderful manner, further cementing his place as a 'Cuse and an Atlantic Coast Conference legend.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Mount Laurel, N.J., a four-star transfer from Ohio State, put on a show this past Friday night as No. 21 Syracuse football defeated Washington State, 52-35, at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

The Orange (10-3 overall) reached 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2018. In the Holiday Bowl, McCord threw for 453 yards and five scores through the air, earning offensive MVP honors in this exciting bowl-game triumph for the 'Cuse.

McCord's 2024 season consists of these tremendous statistics: he completed 66 percent of his passes for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Not too shabby for a guy who Ohio State head coach Ryan Day didn't appear to want even after McCord led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 mark in the 2023 regular season.

Syracuse football quarterback Kyle McCord boasted a historic 2024 season.

McCord is the first signal-caller on the Hill to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. He tallied at least 300 passing yards in 12 of the Orange's 13 games in the 2024 stanza, which is remarkable.

Along the way, McCord has shattered several Syracuse football single-season program records, such as total passing yards, total completions and total touchdowns through the air. An All-ACC second-team performer in 2024, McCord finished at No. 10 in the voting for this term's Heisman Trophy, the highest finish for an Orange player dating back to 2001.

But wait. There's more. Following his performance in the Holiday Bowl, McCord set ACC single-season records for total passing yards and total completions. Even though he only suited up in this conference for one season, I adamantly believe that Kyle will go down as an ACC legend.

What's more, a logical argument could be made, in my humble opinion, that McCord put forth the greatest season ever for a quarterback at the 'Cuse. I'm not saying he's the best QB ever in Central New York, because McCord only played one campaign, but what he did in 2024 was mind-boggling.

Furthermore, all the accolades and success that have arrived for McCord this season couldn't have transpired for a nicer guy. He's confident yet humble. McCord has provided stellar leadership, as head coach Fran Brown has repeatedly said.

This is stating the obvious, but without McCord, Syracuse football doesn't win 10 games and finish in the top 20 of the country this term. He transferred to the Orange, in large part, due to his long-time relationships with Brown and several other 'Cuse coaches, all of whom come from New Jersey.

After the Holiday Bowl victory, McCord said in one post on X, "What a year, love this team." He added in another social media post, "I kind of made a leap of faith coming here, but I'm so glad I did that."

In late November, McCord said in part of his decision to spend his senior year leading Syracuse football, "It was the best decision I've ever made in my life."

How can you not love this young man? It remains to be seen what McCord's future holds, whether that's playing in the NFL next year or perhaps returning to the Orange, if that's ultimately in the cards for him.

Either way, what an absolutely beautiful senior season for Kyle McCord in a 'Cuse uniform.