Syracuse Football: The Kyle McCord effect and why even one season matters so much

Yes folks, Syracuse football senior quarterback Kyle McCord has heard enough from NFL scouts/staff that he’s declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. And while the NCAA definitely seemed to drag their feet more than my grandson at nap time in regard to reviewing his eligibility appeal, it appears that feedback is enough for him to find this to be his best option.

And let’s remember that the ultimate purpose of a college athlete is to one day play professionally just like a college student in any field. You go there hoping to learn more and earn an opportunity to pursue the career you want in life. Kyle did just that setting records and leading the Syracuse football team to a 10-win season. I thank you very much, Kyle, and wish you nothing but the utmost success in pursuing your dreams.

Having said that, I’d like to point out that we are lucky to have had Kyle come to Syracuse. And it’s not just about the records he set…it’s about his deciding to play at Syracuse and the type of player he was setting a precedent about what the Syracuse staff and fans want in a quarterback.

Kyle McCord likely could have gone to many places after a very successful season at Ohio State last year with his only loss being a close one to national champion Michigan. Kyle could have looked down on Syracuse with a rookie head coach and wanted something with more of a solid foundation already in place. And Kyle could have come to Syracuse and been half the player and competitor that he was but he didn’t.

Quarterback Kyle McCord had a record-setting senior year with Syracuse football.

Kyle McCord chose Syracuse and chose to believe in Syracuse head coach Fran Brown (yes they had a personal connection but so what). Kyle McCord by Coach Brown’s own statement was one of the most prepared and effective quarterbacks in college football this year.

Kyle McCord made throws that gave guys opportunities to make plays and was never a distraction to his team. Kyle McCord didn’t skip a “meaningless” bowl game or opt-out during it…he wanted to play to give Syracuse that 10th win.

So while Kyle did set some season records at Syracuse and led the NCAA in passing yards, his legacy and impact might be more about the man and how he led than those stats when it’s all said and done. 

And to those comparing his impact to Carmelo Anthony with a one-season impact, you’re not completely wrong. I know Melo helped Syracuse basketball win the championship in 2003 so advantage him, and I get it, but in football terms, Kyle’s one season could have a similar love from Syracuse’s most faithful fans.

And Kyle’s being at Syracuse will help show others that they can come here and be successful like he was and beloved like both men are because even though it was only one season, it was a season that brought us together in happiness and optimism. More fans believed they could win and didn’t resort to past failures as though that’s all that’s ever expected of Syracuse. Kyle gave many fans hope and gave fans who previously only talked about the past a reason to care about the future.

So while I don’t know where Kyle lands on the “Mount Rushmore of Syracuse quarterbacks” or ranks among the elite (I don’t believe in that stuff anyway), I believe we Syracuse fans were lucky and blessed he chose Syracuse.

And it is my hope that because a player like him chose to come to Syracuse, more will see what he accomplished and want to prove themselves as well. Because I don’t know what the future holds, especially with him gone, but I do know the program is better because of Kyle McCord.