Players could see the benefit of joining Fran Brown’s squad
There’s no doubt that the Syracuse Orange will miss Kyle McCord in 2025. It would have been a huge advantage for the Orange to have a veteran quarterback with the challenging schedule that looms next Fall.
That doesn’t mean that McCord won’t be able to have an impact on the future of the Syracuse football program. Yes, there are concerns about the next Orange quarterback, but as the coaching staff hits the road to recruit they should find a more receptive group of players after they witnessed the 2024 Syracuse squad.
Sure, it took a bit of luck to help Fran Brown land a quarterback who had been through the Big Ten, but the commitment of McCord opened some eyes nationally. Then as the season progressed, the prolific passing attack engineered by McCord put Syracuse football in a more positive light than we’ve seen in recent years.
Getting a blowout Holiday Bowl win in primetime was a fitting end to McCord’s time with the Orange. He led the nation in passing, set several records, and finished in the top 10 of the Heisman voting. Now as he moves on to the NFL, he can still help Brown build the program.
In the short term, the work ethic and example that McCord brought to Syracuse should be carried forward by the returning players. They’ve tasted a bit of success and if they want to take the next step they should be reminded of the attention to detail needed to succeed at this level.
Just being selected will show future Syracuse targets that the offensive game plan of Jeff Nixon is one that can help a QB (and skill position players) get to the next level. If the NIL market for QB’s is reset by revenue sharing, the Orange should be an attractive program for top high school and transfer signal-callers. Players want to be in situations where they can get to the next level and if McCord and others not only get drafted, but make rosters, and start making plays in the NFL, then Syracuse may become a place of destination, not just reclamation.