Big Blue Huddle

ESPN's Jordan Reid

5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3

Where he excels: McCord was the best quarterback to work out at the Shrine Bowl. After seeing him up close, McCord's arm is stronger than I thought, but he also can throw with touch. He has continued to help himself and could be drafted earlier than expected. I have a Round 4 grade on McCord but after talking to multiple scouts at the all-star event, he could hear his name called as early as the end of Day 2.

The Shrine Bowl performance is a continuation of the growth he showed at Syracuse. McCord had 3,170 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions as Ohio State's starter in 2023 but didn't show high-upside, pro-ready attributes. But when I visited Syracuse practices during preseason camp, it was clear he looked more comfortable in first-year coach Fran Brown's scheme. The move paid off, as McCord had an FBS-leading 4,779 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.

McCord showed quick decision-making abilities, getting a rid of the ball in 2.46 seconds on average, the seventh-fastest rate in the FBS. He also understands his limitations and plays in structure, immediately taking what's available early in his progressions. McCord's biggest improvements came on passes down the field. His 36 completions on passes of 20 or more air yards led the FBS.

Where he needs work: McCord still has room for improvement in ball placement. He's effective at getting the ball to the correct spots on his reads, but locations within the strike zone tend to be unpredictable. His 11% off-target rate ranked 48th in the FBS.

"It's clear that he knows where to go with it, but receivers still have to work way too hard to catch it at times," an AFC national scout said.


A nightmare five-interception performance against Pittsburgh in October highlighted many of McCord's flaws. Head-scratching decision-making when facing early pressure forced him into the worst game of his career. And his 12 interceptions were tied for fifth most in the FBS.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/41736211/ranking-top-2025-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-hot-board-team-fits

It will be interesting to see what his actual height is. College pamphlets usually exaggerate, and no one really knows until the combine. I've seen him listed anywhere from 6'2.5" to 6'3.5", usually 6'3", but never 6'1" until now.

My assessment of McCord. A "quick draw" gunslinger with the arm to go with it. Also, a cranial type of guy, and just has a "winning" mindset that is obvious...an unmeasurable part of analyzing QBs. He just knows how to win and will do whatever it takes to do so, as evidenced by the numbers he's put up. He's not one to get gun shy nor does he go into ultra-conservative mode when challenged (ala DJ). He took a substandard team in Syracuse and made the team look like an elite program. He's had success at being surrounded by stars and a very highly talented team at Ohio State and won...then won without a star in the bunch at SU. He made average players at SU look like stars

Where I think he needs to improve: he needs to NOT lock in on a target with his eyes. It's what got him in trouble against Pitt, as they saw the flaw and exploited it...well, that and the defensive pressure abusing his offensive line had him on his heels throughout the game. Pitt made SU's offensive line look like it was a joke. I believe his flaw of "fixing his eyes" is rectifiable, especially if he has more than a half second to get rid of the ball. BTW, that one bad game at Pitt made up for 65% of his interceptions over a full season. It was a downer for all Orange fans, including me

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on February 03, 2025, 12:39:53 PMIt will be interesting to see what his actual height is. College pamphlets usually exaggerate, and no one really knows until the combine. I've seen him listed anywhere from 6'2.5" to 6'3.5", usually 6'3", but never 6'1" until now.

My assessment of McCord. A "quick draw" gunslinger with the arm to go with it. Also, a cranial type of guy, and just has a "winning" mindset that is obvious...an unmeasurable part of analyzing QBs. He just knows how to win and will do whatever it takes to do so, as evidenced by the numbers he's put up. He's not one to get gun shy nor does he go into ultra-conservative mode when challenged (ala DJ). He took a substandard team in Syracuse and made the team look like an elite program. He's had success at being surrounded by stars and a very highly talented team at Ohio State and won...then won without a star in the bunch at SU. He made average players at SU look like stars

Where I think he needs to improve: he needs to NOT lock in on a target with his eyes. It's what got him in trouble against Pitt, as they saw the flaw and exploited it...well, that and the defensive pressure abusing his offensive line had him on his heels throughout the game. Pitt made SU's offensive line look like it was a joke. I believe his flaw of "fixing his eyes" is rectifiable, especially if he has more than a half second to get rid of the ball. BTW, that one bad game at Pitt made up for 65% of his interceptions over a full season. It was a downer for all Orange fans, including me

One thing that troubled me is that McCord refused to play in the actual Shrine Bowl game.  He hasn't proved enough to act like that sort of diva.   If Dart and Milroe could play in the Senior Bowl, there was no excuse for McCord not to play in the Shrine Bowl after a week of practice.   That makes me question his competitive juices

I don't know why he pulled out of the Shrine game. Coaches are keeping tight-lipped about it. He might have pulled a muscle or something didn't feel quite right, as he pulled out at the last second. During practice for the game the previous days though, he was blowing people away. And watching him all year, I'd say he's anything but a diva

Quote from: MightyGiants on February 03, 2025, 12:49:40 PMOne thing that troubled me is that McCord refused to play in the actual Shrine Bowl game.  He hasn't proved enough to act like that sort of diva.   If Dart and Milroe could play in the Senior Bowl, there was no excuse for McCord not to play in the Shrine Bowl after a week of practice.   That makes me question his competitive juices

In the Shrine or Senior Bowl most players are looking not to get hurt. However, there are players on the cusp of being drafted or winding up as an UFA. The risk of injury is real. Dart and Milroe are on the cusp of moving up significantly into the first round. For them, the reward was worth the risk. With the limited amount of playing time, nothing could be gained for any player. I would say that the fact that he participated in the process and the practices, was meaningful to me, apposed to Sanders who did nothing. 

Quote from: Ed Vette on February 03, 2025, 02:54:05 PMIn the Shrine or Senior Bowl most players are looking not to get hurt. However, there are players on the cusp of being drafted or winding up as an UFA. The risk of injury is real. Dart and Milroe are on the cusp of moving up significantly into the first round. For them, the reward was worth the risk. With the limited amount of playing time, nothing could be gained for any player. I would say that the fact that he participated in the process and the practices, was meaningful to me, apposed to Sanders who did nothing. 

Ed: I agree with you. Hey, maybe his agent is a douche (so it's not coming from the player), but from a player's perspective, it's a year with no great QB's and at least four teams whose QB's suck.

In addition, anything can happen this year, because there are a solid handful of great players up top (five at least) and IMO the chances are real that at least half of the teams who need a QB will either take a non-QB or even trade down, because IMO there are likely ZERO general managers out of 32 who believe any of this year's QB's are truly worth a top five pick. This anomaly could result in the NFL version of draft "chaos." And when there's chaos, strange things can and do happen.

THE SUBSTANTIAL AND IMMEDIATE SUCCESS OF JAYDEN DANIELS AS A ROOKIE is what this is all about.

Quote from: Giantleap56 on February 01, 2025, 10:26:48 AMI watched one game which was the Miami game. McCord was impressive in the game and I have had him as the 5th QB in the draft but Milroe has dropped and McCord is the 4th QB.

By the way anyone know if Pena is coming out that kid is going to be an amazing slot receiver. He make some incredible catches.

Pena announced that he is coming back to Syracuse for 2025.

https://x.com/ericgalko/status/1887154310263226573?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

Fran Brown Sends Strong Message To NFL Scouts Ahead of NFL Draft


https://athlonsports.com/college-football/fran-brown-sends-strong-message-nfl-scouts-kyle-mccord-nfl-draft

As a Duke grad I am watching the Duke Syracuse game tonight

Wild that Beck and Ewers would have been in most top 10s to start the season and now they wouldn't even be in the top 100.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on February 05, 2025, 09:35:09 PMWild that Beck and Ewers would have been in most top 10s to start the season and now they wouldn't even be in the top 100.

Agreed. At the beginning of the season Beck, I believe he was considered one of the top QBs. Perhaps even the #1 QB off the board. Wow what a fall. Him going to Miami might help his draft stock, but IMO the damage is already done. Looking to Beck going in the 3rd round or later in the 2026 draft. Ewers will go in the 3rd round this year

Anyone else think he throws the ball like Phillip Rivers?

Pequeños Rios

Quote from: Bob In PA on February 02, 2025, 08:39:39 AMJolly: Those are IMO all reasons to watch for the Giants to try to get him in the second round, if not trade up to the bottom of the first. Bob

He appears to lock on his recievers a lot. That concerns me

Quote from: Trench on February 08, 2025, 07:05:04 AMHe appears to lock on his recievers a lot. That concerns me

Trench: I hadn't noticed that but I'll re-watch his games and keep an eye out for it. Bob