2025 NFL Draft Shaping Up as Historic for Orange
4/22/2025 4:07:00 PM | Football
It's shaping up to be one of the biggest NFL Drafts in Syracuse football history, with numerous NFL hopefuls expecting to hear their name called this weekend over the three days of the draft.
Five players – Kyle McCord, Fadil Diggs, Oronde Gadsden II, Alijah Clark and LeQuint Allen Jr. – attended the NFL Scouting Combine in February, a precursor to gauge teams interest in the prospects. All-five participated in major college all-star showcases, with McCord, Diggs, Gadsden and Clark participating in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where they were joined by Jackson Meeks. Allen and Justin Barron played in the Senior Bowl, while Marlowe Wax played in the Hula Bowl, while others shined at Pro Day.
The Orange are coming off one of their best seasons this century, under first year head coach Fran Brown and this draft class will showcase the talent upgrades for the program. It's been more than a decade since three-or-more players were selected in the draft, when Justin Pugh, Ryan Nassib and Shamarko Thomas got the call. The Orange haven't had four-or-more players taken since 2006. Five players selected would be the most in nearly 30 years for SU, doing so in the 1998 draft. Six-or-more selections would bring a new level of history for the program. Syracuse has seen six players drafted twice previously in the modern era (1970-present, post merger), however, the team has never seen six players drafted in the current seven-round format of the draft.
McCord spent his senior season with the Orange after transferring from Ohio State and immediately made his mark as one of the best signal callers to ever play in the Dome. His 4,779 passing yards not only led the nation, but set a new Atlantic Coast Conference record, usurping a bevvy of first round picks, Heisman Trophy winners and NFL stars. In addition to his passing yard record, McCord set new program records for touchdowns responsible for (37), total offense (4,714 yards), touchdown passes (34), completions (391), passing yards per game (367.6) and attempts (592).
Gadsden departs 'Cuse after four seasons with the program, where he re-wrote the tight ends record book. He owns the top-two individual seasons at the position in both receptions and receiving yards as well as the career mark in both. He's top-10 in each category, regardless of position, in school history. He finished his collegiate career with 143 catches and 1,994 receiving yards.
Allen leaves Syracuse as one of the most productive backs in program history, at a school known for its exceptional production at the position. A two-year starter, Allen posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and leaves the school 13th on the program's all-time rushing list (2,359) – one spot behind Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame selection Ernie Davis. His 26 career rushing touchdowns is ninth in program history, while his 16 rushing scores this season are the third most in school history. A threat in the passing game as well, Allen finished his 'Cuse career as the all-time leader in receptions by a running back with 119, shattering Antwon Bailey's record (92).
Clark was a three-year starter for the Orange after transferring from Rutgers. In his Orange career, he appeared in 37 games, with 181 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Diggs spent one season at 'Cuse after graduating from Texas A&M. An honorable mention All-ACC selection this season and a three-time team captain across both schools, he amassed 120 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his collegiate career.
Wax appeared in 57 games at Syracuse, with 47 starts at linebacker. He concluded his career with 338 career tackles (212 solo), 42.0 tackles for loss, 21.0 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, two interceptions and a blocked kick. His 10 forced fumbles is second at Syracuse, behind College Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney (14). He was also second in program history in career tackles for loss (42.0), where he also trails Freeney (50.5). His 21 sacks is fifth.
Barron played in 62 collegiate games with 47 starts and played three different positions for the Orange (WR, DB, LB), and most likely projects as a linebacker at the next level. He had 294 career tackles, which ranks third among players who played the majority of their career as a defensive back at Syracuse (84 came at linebacker). He's also a two-time Walter Camp Foundation Connecticut Player of the Year and a two-time All-ACC honoree.
Meeks had a breakout year at Syracuse after starting his career at Georgia where he was a two-time National Champion. The second team All-ACC wideout had the sixth-most catches in a season in SU history (78), crossed the 1,000 yard threshold and was second in both receptions and yards this season in the ACC.
Cornerback Clarence Lewis, who was a Third Team All-ACC selection, starred in his lone season at 'Cuse after transferring from Notre Dame. He was second in the ACC in pass breakups (12) and started every game at cornerback for the Orange this season.
A trio of linemen, who helped pave the way for a 10-win campaign, a 1,000 yard rusher and the nation's most prolific passing offense this season also hope to end the weekend on NFL franchises. Savion Washington and Jakob Bradford were both honorable mention All-ACC selections this season, while Josh Ilaoa ended the year as the team's starting center in their upset win over No. 6 Miami.
Additionally, tight end Max Mang is an interesting prospect for NFL teams. The massive 6-foot-7 German prospect did most of his damage in the run game, playing in every game of the last four seasons and helping pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher each year.
Long snapper Tom Callahan is the lone specialist of the group of NFL hopefuls. He helped Jack Stonehouse set the program's net punting record this past season.
The first round gets underway at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Â
Five players – Kyle McCord, Fadil Diggs, Oronde Gadsden II, Alijah Clark and LeQuint Allen Jr. – attended the NFL Scouting Combine in February, a precursor to gauge teams interest in the prospects. All-five participated in major college all-star showcases, with McCord, Diggs, Gadsden and Clark participating in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where they were joined by Jackson Meeks. Allen and Justin Barron played in the Senior Bowl, while Marlowe Wax played in the Hula Bowl, while others shined at Pro Day.
The Orange are coming off one of their best seasons this century, under first year head coach Fran Brown and this draft class will showcase the talent upgrades for the program. It's been more than a decade since three-or-more players were selected in the draft, when Justin Pugh, Ryan Nassib and Shamarko Thomas got the call. The Orange haven't had four-or-more players taken since 2006. Five players selected would be the most in nearly 30 years for SU, doing so in the 1998 draft. Six-or-more selections would bring a new level of history for the program. Syracuse has seen six players drafted twice previously in the modern era (1970-present, post merger), however, the team has never seen six players drafted in the current seven-round format of the draft.
McCord spent his senior season with the Orange after transferring from Ohio State and immediately made his mark as one of the best signal callers to ever play in the Dome. His 4,779 passing yards not only led the nation, but set a new Atlantic Coast Conference record, usurping a bevvy of first round picks, Heisman Trophy winners and NFL stars. In addition to his passing yard record, McCord set new program records for touchdowns responsible for (37), total offense (4,714 yards), touchdown passes (34), completions (391), passing yards per game (367.6) and attempts (592).
Gadsden departs 'Cuse after four seasons with the program, where he re-wrote the tight ends record book. He owns the top-two individual seasons at the position in both receptions and receiving yards as well as the career mark in both. He's top-10 in each category, regardless of position, in school history. He finished his collegiate career with 143 catches and 1,994 receiving yards.
Allen leaves Syracuse as one of the most productive backs in program history, at a school known for its exceptional production at the position. A two-year starter, Allen posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and leaves the school 13th on the program's all-time rushing list (2,359) – one spot behind Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame selection Ernie Davis. His 26 career rushing touchdowns is ninth in program history, while his 16 rushing scores this season are the third most in school history. A threat in the passing game as well, Allen finished his 'Cuse career as the all-time leader in receptions by a running back with 119, shattering Antwon Bailey's record (92).
Clark was a three-year starter for the Orange after transferring from Rutgers. In his Orange career, he appeared in 37 games, with 181 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Diggs spent one season at 'Cuse after graduating from Texas A&M. An honorable mention All-ACC selection this season and a three-time team captain across both schools, he amassed 120 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his collegiate career.
Wax appeared in 57 games at Syracuse, with 47 starts at linebacker. He concluded his career with 338 career tackles (212 solo), 42.0 tackles for loss, 21.0 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, two interceptions and a blocked kick. His 10 forced fumbles is second at Syracuse, behind College Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney (14). He was also second in program history in career tackles for loss (42.0), where he also trails Freeney (50.5). His 21 sacks is fifth.
Barron played in 62 collegiate games with 47 starts and played three different positions for the Orange (WR, DB, LB), and most likely projects as a linebacker at the next level. He had 294 career tackles, which ranks third among players who played the majority of their career as a defensive back at Syracuse (84 came at linebacker). He's also a two-time Walter Camp Foundation Connecticut Player of the Year and a two-time All-ACC honoree.
Meeks had a breakout year at Syracuse after starting his career at Georgia where he was a two-time National Champion. The second team All-ACC wideout had the sixth-most catches in a season in SU history (78), crossed the 1,000 yard threshold and was second in both receptions and yards this season in the ACC.
Cornerback Clarence Lewis, who was a Third Team All-ACC selection, starred in his lone season at 'Cuse after transferring from Notre Dame. He was second in the ACC in pass breakups (12) and started every game at cornerback for the Orange this season.
A trio of linemen, who helped pave the way for a 10-win campaign, a 1,000 yard rusher and the nation's most prolific passing offense this season also hope to end the weekend on NFL franchises. Savion Washington and Jakob Bradford were both honorable mention All-ACC selections this season, while Josh Ilaoa ended the year as the team's starting center in their upset win over No. 6 Miami.
Additionally, tight end Max Mang is an interesting prospect for NFL teams. The massive 6-foot-7 German prospect did most of his damage in the run game, playing in every game of the last four seasons and helping pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher each year.
Long snapper Tom Callahan is the lone specialist of the group of NFL hopefuls. He helped Jack Stonehouse set the program's net punting record this past season.
The first round gets underway at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Â
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LS
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
P
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballPlayers postgame at Notre Dame
Saturday, November 22
Fran Brown postgame at Notre Dame
Saturday, November 22
Steve Angeli Interview | Notre Dame Week
Thursday, November 20
Fran Brown Show
Thursday, November 20
