Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football held its 2025 Pro Day on Monday as NFL draft prospects such as quarterback Kyle McCord, running back LeQuint Allen Jr. and tight end Oronde Gadsden II worked out in front of about 50 scouts, coaches and front office members for about 30 NFL teams and some CFL franchises.
McCord, Allen, Gadsen, defensive end Fadil Diggs and defensive back Alijah Clark all participated in last month’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Other players, such as wide receiver Jackson Meeks and linebackers Justin Barron and Marlowe Wax, weren’t invited but have heard from NFL teams since the conclusion of Syracuse’s season in December.
McCord is competing to be selected near the top of the quarterback class. He said at the combine he’d spoken with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. The Jets sent a scout to Syracuse’s Pro Day with the main purpose of seeing McCord up close. The scout spent a decent amount of time speaking with McCord’s parents.
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New York released four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers last week and are in the market for a new starting quarterback.
McCord said Monday he’s spoken to and held private workouts with several teams since the combine. McCord said he has heard from at least 24 teams and will work out with at least one this week.
“I’ve won everywhere I went,” McCord said. “The jump I made from year one to year two as a starter, I don’t think there is another quarterback or player in the country that made that type of improvement.”
The Browns and Saints each hold four picks in the first three rounds of the draft, while the Jets own three.
Teams have told Gadsden they’d like to see how he looks at different weights. He has appeased them by working out at a different weight at the East-West Shrine Bowl, NFL combine and Pro Day.
Allen said teams have told him he’ll likely make a name for himself as pass-catching running back. Throughout the draft process, Allen has centered his on-field workouts around his route running and receiving.
In his final year in an Orange uniform, Allen ran for 1,021 yards and racked up 521 receiving yards. He has been invited to local NFL team Pro Days but said he does not believe he’ll be attending them.
“I’m not just a running back,” Allen said. “[I can play] receiver. If you wanted me to play defense, I’ll play defense for you, too. You can throw me on special teams, too.”
Clark, on the other hand, has received interest as both a safety and nickel cornerback. He said he will attend local Pro Days for the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.
Barron spent three seasons at safety for Syracuse before stepping in at linebacker in 2024. His tape in the box must have been positive, as he said he’s been told he’ll be an every-down linebacker in the NFL, not just a nickel and dime package player.
Meeks does not have a specific ballpark for where he’ll fall next month, as some teams have given him a Day 2 grade while others have labeled him a priority undrafted free agent. Despite being a second-team All-ACC selection in 2024 with 1,021 yards, Meeks was not one of the 48 wide receivers invited to the NFL combine.
He said he has heard from the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.
“It’s all about who likes me and who doesn’t,” Meeks said. “I’m trying not to stress myself out about that too much because at the end of the day, I know what I can do.”
Meeks wasn’t the only receiver with eyes on him, though, as a scout from the Kansas City Chiefs expressed his fondness for Trebor Pena to head coach Fran Brown as he ran routes for McCord.
Pena finished second on the team in receiving yards and led the team in receiving touchdowns in 2024. He is returning to Syracuse for his final season of eligibility in 2025.