Syracuse Football: Kyle McCord is headed to the pros; thank you for a magical season

As I'm writing this column on Friday afternoon on Syracuse football record-setting senior quarterback Kyle McCord, I can't deny it: I'm getting a little choked up.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Mount Laurel, N.J., a four-star transfer from Ohio State, announced via social media on Friday that he was officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, calling it a "lifelong dream" to play in the NFL.

More than anything else, a heartfelt thank you from Orange Nation to McCord on what has been a beautiful 2024 season for the signal-caller and his 'Cuse teammates. Go be great on Sundays, Kyle.

Syracuse football fans, lately, had been anxious to know whether McCord might be granted a fifth season of college eligibility by the NCAA. Even if that did occur, there was no guarantee that he would play at the collegiate level for another term.

To that end, McCord said in part to ESPN senior writer Pete Thamel, "I think the biggest thing for me was, obviously, I felt like I put together a really good year. 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."

The 2025 NFL Draft, by the way, will take place from April 24 to April 26 in Green Bay, Wis.

Syracuse football senior quarterback Kyle McCord will not return to the Hill.

In 2023, as a junior, McCord had a solid stanza and led Big Ten Conference powerhouse Ohio State to an 11-1 record in the regular season. According to media reports, though, the Buckeyes' head coach, Ryan Day, wouldn't commit to McCord as that team's starter again in 2024, so McCord hit the transfer portal.

McCord elected to spend his senior year in Central New York, a decision questioned by some lazy national pundits who didn't take the time to understand that McCord's decision was mainly due to his long-standing relationships with several members of the Orange staff, including first-year head coach Fran Brown.

The Atlantic Coast Conference's preseason media poll forecast the 'Cuse to finish at No. 12 in the league race in 2024. Whatever. With McCord at the helm, Syracuse football had a potent offense, and he helped guide the Orange to a 10-3 record, a likely top-20 national ranking in the final College Football Playoff top 25, a Holiday Bowl win, a tie for fourth place in the ACC regular-season standings, and an undeniable resurgence of the Syracuse football program.

All McCord did as a senior was complete 66 percent of his passes for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He led the country in passing yards during the regular season, and McCord also set various 'Cuse and ACC single-season records.

When Syracuse football beat Washington State late last month, 52-35, in the Holiday Bowl, McCord threw for 453 yards and five scores through the air, earning offensive MVP honors. For 2024, he resides on the All-ACC second team, and McCord finished at No. 10 in the voting for this season's Heisman Trophy, the highest finish for an Orange player since 2001.

To me, McCord's performance on the field this past campaign was most impressive, but what I find even more impressive about the young man are his leadership, his humbleness and his focus on his teammates.

No question about it - McCord loved playing for Syracuse football as a senior. No doubt about it - the entirety of 'Cuse Nation loved having Kyle don an Orange uniform over the past few months.

Do I wish that McCord would have come back for another year with the Orange? Of course. But McCord gave us an unforgettable 2024 season and now he's chasing his dream. I can't wait to cheer him on in the NFL down the line.

Thank you, Kyle.