Kyle McCord to NFL Draft

[Marsh01]

Hard to come up with an equivalent. Tony Bruin was a huge recruit for Boeheim. So getting Pearl--an even bigger recruit--was hardly out of nowhere. Pearl put us on a big stage, but the stage was already set so to speak. And Pearl never really led us far in the Big Dance. For fun... watch a bit of Syracuse/Houston when the latter had a few NBA Hall of Famers, but we won: One of Bruin's best games. Anyway, I guess we could say Melo because he elevated the program to a new level.

From a football side... perhaps you could say Tim Green? Whereas we tended to lose recruiting battles to Penn State, it was Green deciding to stay home that gave the program momentum again. Green was gone by 1987, but the fruits were paying off that season. If you can spare some time... watch this 1987 game against Penn State. It becomes pretty clear that this was the best team Syracuse has had in my life time. No real weakness. October 17, 1987 - #10 Penn State @ #13 Syracuse

The Houston win was THE most underrated win in basketball dome history and it never gets mentioned.

 

[HyattsCuse]

The only reasons to come back are because he loves college/college football and/or because his NIL deal would surpass any NFL comp. That could also be based on this year's NFL draft class at Qb vs next year's. He's 22 and has been playing college football at the highest level. His stock isnt rising any higher.

I think prior posts showed some logic that his stock could easily rise by staying. NFL isn't like the NBA where staying has a negative stigma to it. Even if he's 23 next year, but has another awesome season to backup this one, I think an NFL team would be more apt to think this is a guy that can QB their franchise for the next 12-15 years. He'd be drafted higher as well.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

I think prior posts showed some logic that his stock could easily rise by staying. NFL isn't like the NBA where staying has a negative stigma to it. Even if he's 23 next year, but has another awesome season to backup this one, I think an NFL team would be more apt to think this is a guy that can QB their franchise for the next 12-15 years. He'd be drafted higher as well.

What makes you think he gets better playing Tennessee, Boston College, Miami, etc. over practicing day in and day out with a pro team? His arm isn't getting stronger at this point. He's not getting bigger or faster. And even if he does have some room for growth, he'll grow more with NFL level of support and training. The speed of the game in college is slower.

He started at Ohio State. He started at Syracuse (and really got the chance to sling it). There's nothing more for him to prove at this level.

 

[orangefog]

the NCCA has a rule you get 5 yrs to play 4. That allows for RS. It does not say you get yrs 6-7-8-9 like some kids. The NCAA then allowed waivers for all sorts of reasons to extend the 5 yr plan. Not sure what the difference is really in some of their reasoning. You could start 4 games and play 300 plays and get hurt and get the season back or you could play 10-20 plays over 5 games and lose the season.

if the goal is what is best for the player and the kid is still in the 5 yr window in this day and age maybe they go towards reason and not strictly on rule.

That’s exactly what I was thinking, articulated much better than I could. They deviate from their “rules” all the time. So, in the spirit of the rule, a waiver to give Kyle his 5th year is not out of the question. He gained very little from those 5 games in junk time.

 

[RF2044]

Well, there is little doubt that we have indeed asked for a waiver. As I said earlier, someone that we all know was told by someone at the University that they expect to win. That someone who said that was not Fran Brown. I have no reason to think that is correct and could think of no rational where it could be. But damn, someone here did just make a pretty good case for a waiver. I still don't believe it. But it is interesting.

Agreed. There at least is a basis for the waiver to be requested.

Plus, the NCAA is a wild card -- people can talk precedent all they want, but that organization is unpredictable to a degree. You never know what they are going to do / how they are going to rule. There are plenty of times when I expect them to deny waiver requests, because the circumstances seem to cut and dry not fit established criteria, only to have them do the opposite. And it seems like the higher profile the player, the more degrees of freedom the NCAA deviates from what you'd expect.

So SU would be negligent not to pursue this to the fullest extent possible.

 

[RF2044]

What makes you think he gets better playing Tennessee, Boston College, Miami, etc. over practicing day in and day out with a pro team? His arm isn't getting stronger at this point. He's not getting bigger or faster. And even if he does have some room for growth, he'll grow more with NFL level of support and training. The speed of the game in college is slower.

He started at Ohio State. He started at Syracuse (and really got the chance to sling it). There's nothing more for him to prove at this level.

It doesn't have anything to do with getting "better" -- and everything to do with "bettering" his draft position.

If he's a 6th round pick, 7th round pick, or an UFA, then there is a chance that he might not even make a team or earn a professional contract. If he returns and has another big year, then he'll elevate his stock and go much higher in the draft. The difference in $$$ would be immense.

 

[Cusefan69]

What makes you think he gets better playing Tennessee, Boston College, Miami, etc. over practicing day in and day out with a pro team? His arm isn't getting stronger at this point. He's not getting bigger or faster. And even if he does have some room for growth, he'll grow more with NFL level of support and training. The speed of the game in college is slower.

He started at Ohio State. He started at Syracuse (and really got the chance to sling it). There's nothing more for him to prove at this level.

And yet here we are with what seems to be comments from insiders that some efforts are being made to get another year and likely those efforts would not be taking place if McCord was not on board. So the player must see a value in it.

 

[shandeezy7]

It doesn't have anything to do with getting "better" -- and everything to do with "bettering" his draft position.

If he's a 6th round pick, 7th round pick, or an UFA, then there is a chance that he might not even make a team or earn a professional contract. If he returns and has another big year, then he'll elevate his stock and go much higher in the draft. The difference in $$$ would be immense.

Idk I sometimes lean towards another year could improve his draft position, but I keep coming back to the fact that he's a 22-year-old that has a good amount of tape playing high-end college football. I mean, he led the entire country in passing yards this past year, so I'm not really sure how he could improve on that. The TD-INT ratio could be improved, but I feel like NFL scouts have a pretty good handle on McCord and where he would fall on the QB pecking order in the draft.

I will say, though, that it's a little perplexing how he's considered a late rounder/UDFA. I know the game has changed some in the past dozen years, but McCord just smashed Ryan Nassib's school records and Nassib was a 4th round pick. *shrug*

 

[OrangeXtreme]

McCord accepted his Shrine Bowl invite on November 18.

He must have known something then.

 

[Cusefan69]

McCord accepted his Shrine Bowl invite on November 18.

He must have known something then.

True. At that point in time he may have made decisions under a certain fact set and since then (based on some insider comments) perhaps his facts set has changed?

 

[Chip]

McCord accepted his Shrine Bowl invite on November 18.

He must have known something then.

Keeping his options open?

Better to have accepted and backed out than to never have accepted at all.

 

[AcAndAc]

Another option... not getting any good feedback from the NFL. He can't MAKE anyone draft him. A lot of guys give up college to never sniff a good situation in the NFL. But those guys were giving up a scholarship... not NIL money. Maybe that is where BB will do well in UNC... upperclassmen who want to get $250k a year to be with him and his team, rather than a practice squad under some worthless NFL staff.

 

[AcAndAc]

The Houston win was THE most underrated win in basketball dome history and it never gets mentioned.

We had some good calls in that game, if you get my drift. Never realized how much Guy Lewis looked like The Godfather...

 

[GoSU96]

McCord accepted his Shrine Bowl invite on November 18.

He must have known something then.

That isn’t some iron clad commit

 

[RF2044]

Idk I sometimes lean towards another year could improve his draft position, but I keep coming back to the fact that he's a 22-year-old that has a good amount of tape playing high-end college football. I mean, he led the entire country in passing yards this past year, so I'm not really sure how he could improve on that. The TD-INT ratio could be improved, but I feel like NFL scouts have a pretty good handle on McCord and where he would fall on the QB pecking order in the draft.

I will say, though, that it's a little perplexing how he's considered a late rounder/UDFA. I know the game has changed some in the past dozen years, but McCord just smashed Ryan Nassib's school records and Nassib was a 4th round pick. *shrug*

He could improve from a perception standpoint. I relayed this story earlier, and Dasher did as well a page or two back. Joe Burrow indicated that he considered coming out for the NFL draft after his junior year, and was told he was evaluated at that time as being a 6th round pick, at best, after having a pretty good year at LSU. He opted to come back, had a better year, and ended up going #1 in the draft.

I'm not predicting that McCord is going to go at the top of the first round, or that he'd be in contention for a Heisman -- but he probably would at least be mentioned there, coming off the year he's just had. And hype equates to draft position. Where do you think Cam Ward would have been drafted after last season?

 

[NJneer12]

NCAA has made there ruling!!!!

HCJB has to forfeit another 100 wins and McCord is back!

Deal

 

[HyattsCuse]

McCord accepted his Shrine Bowl invite on November 18.

He must have known something then.

Smart of him to not put all his eggs in one basket. He has the pro path or the return to 'Cuse path in motion. Doing his due diligence with both. Selfishly, I'm hoping for the return to 'Cuse to become a reality, but hope he gets the path he wants the most.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

That isn’t some iron clad commit

If he's going to withdraw from the game, I hope he does early enough so another Senior QB can prepare for his NFL audition.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Kind of torn re McCord playing in the bowl game. On one hand I'm thrilled he is playing. I love watching him play and getting to see him in a SU uniform for one more game is an unexpected gift. I really want that tenth win and to move up or stay in the rankings. On the other hand if he was my kid I'd probably advise him to opt out, avoid injury, prepare for the draft and end with his mic drop performance against Miami.

Ward might play and would take the yards leader away from him. Ward has been injured every year in college until this is projected top 2 and Miami never wins bowls and are 1-10 in their last 11.

Dropping 500 yards on Wazzous backups won't hurt his stock.

Now if was Ole Miss idk.

 

[JuiceMeUp]

Idk I sometimes lean towards another year could improve his draft position, but I keep coming back to the fact that he's a 22-year-old that has a good amount of tape playing high-end college football. I mean, he led the entire country in passing yards this past year, so I'm not really sure how he could improve on that. The TD-INT ratio could be improved, but I feel like NFL scouts have a pretty good handle on McCord and where he would fall on the QB pecking order in the draft.

I will say, though, that it's a little perplexing how he's considered a late rounder/UDFA. I know the game has changed some in the past dozen years, but McCord just smashed Ryan Nassib's school records and Nassib was a 4th round pick. *shrug*

The age thing is not a factor. McCord would be 23 years old at the start of the 2026 NFL season. Jayden Daniels was just drafted at 23. Michael Penix at 24. Bo Nix at 24. All these guys were top 15 selections. Imagine if they decided to jump the gun and not use their last season of CFB. None of those guys would’ve even been day 2 picks most likely. Point is so much can change in a year, and age is not a concern in the NFL for QB prospects as they are protected by the rules of the game. There is a chance he might go undrafted already as it is. Now obviously the year has to be granted first, but IMO he’d be silly NOT to take it if given to him.

 

[Cusefan0307]

He could improve from a perception standpoint. I relayed this story earlier, and Dasher did as well a page or two back. Joe Burrow indicated that he considered coming out for the NFL draft after his junior year, and was told he was evaluated at that time as being a 6th round pick, at best, after having a pretty good year at LSU. He opted to come back, had a better year, and ended up going #1 in the draft.

I'm not predicting that McCord is going to go at the top of the first round, or that he'd be in contention for a Heisman -- but he probably would at least be mentioned there, coming off the year he's just had. And hype equates to draft position. Where do you think Cam Ward would have been drafted after last season?

Bo Nix as well. This isn’t the NBA. The NFL likes guys who have started a lot of games.

 

[LAOrange]

It doesn't have anything to do with getting "better" -- and everything to do with "bettering" his draft position.

If he's a 6th round pick, 7th round pick, or an UFA, then there is a chance that he might not even make a team or earn a professional contract. If he returns and has another big year, then he'll elevate his stock and go much higher in the draft. The difference in $$$ would be immense.

Not to mention the amount of hype he'll get for winning a championship. Plus he only needs about 5000 yards to pass Philip Rivers on the all-time ACC list.

 

[shandeezy7]

He could improve from a perception standpoint. I relayed this story earlier, and Dasher did as well a page or two back. Joe Burrow indicated that he considered coming out for the NFL draft after his junior year, and was told he was evaluated at that time as being a 6th round pick, at best, after having a pretty good year at LSU. He opted to come back, had a better year, and ended up going #1 in the draft.

I'm not predicting that McCord is going to go at the top of the first round, or that he'd be in contention for a Heisman -- but he probably would at least be mentioned there, coming off the year he's just had. And hype equates to draft position. Where do you think Cam Ward would have been drafted after last season?

I get that there are examples of guys improving their draft position, but aside from, say, having a similar year to this year while also earning Syracuse a playoff spot, I'm not sure how high that improvement ceiling is for McCord. Like I said, the guy just led FBS in passing.

Junior year Joe Burrow wasn't in the same stratosphere from a statistical perspective as McCord this year (almost 1,500 less passing yards and 13 less passing TDs). Heck, we already saw McCord take a huge leap from junior to senior year, and as of now, it doesn't seem to have done too much for his draft stock.

 

[kcsu]

If I'm Kyle and I get a waiver 100% I stay. Pull in 1.5m get an insurance policy. Worst case I get drafted next year at the same level. No brainer

 

[richmondcuse03]

Haven't heard an update on this in a while so will defer to what others have heard. But last I had heard in early November was he was pretty dead set on the draft.

I also think for this to be a real possibility, he has to have his waiver in hand pretty much now...because otherwise the coaching staff doesn't have much time for the main portal window. I know there's a spring one and there's more that shakes out there. But that approach only works if you're very confident in Jakari and OK not taking a guy now in hopes that Kyle is able to come back. It's also not easy to get a guy to commit now and then say OOPS, Kyle's staying...it affects NIl budget and a whole slew of other things.

I'm still betting firmly that he's gone.