Kyle McCord put up big numbers in 2024 lighting up the scoreboard for Syracuse, and his scouting report evaluates if he has a chance to have similar success in the NFL.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report and Film Analysis of Syracuse Quarterback Kyle McCord
Measurables:
Height- 6’3″
Weight- 218 lbs
Player Background:
McCord was a five-star quarterback from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Pennsylvania. He was a top-50 recruit in the nation and the sixth-ranked quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class. McCord committed to Ohio State, where he sat behind C.J. Stroud during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He earned the starting position for the Buckeyes his junior season throwing for 3,170 yards in an 11-win season. He transferred to Syracuse as a senior where he had a breakout season leading the country in passing yards with 4,779 passing yards. McCord earned Second Team All-ACC honors and finished 10th place in Heisman voting.
Strengths:
McCord played the 2024 season with a gunslinger mentality and with this mentality had a breakout season. He was asked to do a lot for Syracuse, and in that role, he led the Orange to a 10-win season. He averaged 45 pass attempts per game and had a high number of big-time throws throughout the season. Perhaps McCord’s most impressive trait is his ball placement. He does a great job at putting the ball where it needs to be to give his receivers the best chance at making a play and does a good job at setting his receivers up for yards after the catch.
McCord has good mechanics, with a quick release and advanced footwork. He has a solid deep ball with good touch and timing that he always throws with a ton of confidence. A highly rated high school recruit who recently made a big jump in development, and figured a lot of things out this past season, McCord could be hitting his stride in the development process now.
Weaknesses:
While McCord’s play style leads to a lot of big plays, it also leads to a lot of turnovers. McCord put the ball at risk a lot in 2024. He has a tendency to stare down his first read for too long and needs to do a better job going through his progressions. The game against Pittsburgh highlights many of the flaws in McCord’s game. He threw no touchdowns, three pick-sixes, and five interceptions on the day, consistently putting the ball at risk and staring down his first read.
McCord also has just decent arm strength for his play style and does not offer much as a runner. McCord looked like a completely different player at Ohio State in 2023, where he did not make as many big-time throws or throw with as much confidence as he did at Syracuse.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
McCord is a Day 3 level quarterback prospect who projects as a backup at the next level. However, of the Day 3 quarterbacks in this year’s class, he has more starter upside than most. McCord throws the ball with good accuracy and ball placement. He plays with confidence and was a highly rated recruit who just took a big jump in development after transferring to a new school. If this season was a sign of McCord still having a lot more room for growth he could develop into a decent starting quarterback in the right system.
Prospect Grade:
Fourth Round
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
