Syracuse Football: QB Kyle McCord's 2025 NFL Draft stock is rising, analysts say

In recent days, numerous national analysts have doled out praise to former Syracuse football record-setting senior quarterback Kyle McCord and other Orange players who are set to play in a showcase in Texas on Thursday night.

The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious college football all-star game, will take place on Thursday beginning at 8 pm EST from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with television coverage on the NFL Network.

Expected to compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl are McCord, edge Fadil Diggs, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, All-American tight end Oronde Gadsden II and defensive back Alijah Clark. Earlier this month, linebacker Marlowe Wax Jr. tallied an interception during the 2025 Hula Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

On February 1, running back LeQuint Allen Jr. and linebacker Justin Barron will play at the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Per SU Athletics, "The eight all-star game participants is the most this century for Syracuse, setting up for what should be the largest Orange draft class in recent memory."

Leading up to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl are practices open to analysts, scouts and media members. Many of these Syracuse football players have received high marks from experts for their performances during these practice sessions, particularly McCord, who set numerous 'Cuse and Atlantic Coast Conference single-season records during the 2024 term.

Former Syracuse football quarterback Kyle McCord has bolstered his 2025 NFL Draft stock, analysts say.

In a recent article on nfl.com, NFL Draft researcher/analyst Chad Reuter named 10 players, including McCord, who boosted their draft stock based on their play at the East-West Shrine Bowl practices.

Reuter wrote: "McCord transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse for the 2024 season and proceeded to lead the FBS (and set an ACC record) with 4,779 passing yards. With that résumé, it wasn't surprising he was clearly the top quarterback prospect on the field this past weekend. The ball left his hand with a tight spiral that regularly hit its target. McCord was able to change his arm angles to find creases for screens and quick outs and was accurate throwing while moving to his left and right. His experience showed when working under center, adeptly handling the ball on play-action and finding a place downfield to rip the ball. In a draft lacking superior depth at the game's most important position, McCord did what was required to wrap up a top-125 draft grade."

The 2025 NFL Draft, by the way, will take place from April 24 to April 26 in Green Bay, Wis. I don't necessarily think McCord is evolving into a first-round pick, but he's definitely improving his overall position, as far as I can tell.

A few days ago, PennLive.com writer Nick Farabaugh said in a post on X, "Watching Shrine Bowl film and the QB tape is rough. ... Kyle McCord is the best guy in Dallas and it’s not particularly close (Shadeur isn’t participating)."

Shedeur Sanders is a former star quarterback with Big 12 Conference member Colorado who is expected to be one of the top selections in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Following a 10-3 record and a No. 20 national ranking in the final Associated Press top-25 poll after the 2024 season ended, the excitement brewing over the 'Cuse program continues to rise, and I can't wait to see which former Orange players are chosen in this year's NFL Draft.