Even with his flashy Pro Day at Syracuse, everyone knows Kyle McCord will be drafted as a second-stringer in just a little over a month. He spent his whole Ohio State career playing backup, waiting for his turn, watching CJ Stroud dominate and head to the pro league as 2023’s No. 2 overall pick. When he finally got his shot to lead the Buckeyes, the ride ended sooner than expected. Now, as the NFL Draft looms, he finds himself in a familiar situation—highly regarded but not quite a front-runner. His talent is undeniable, but his future? That’s a puzzle only the right team can solve.
McCord’s transition from Ohio State to Syracuse was a whirlwind, a move dictated by circumstances rather than a master plan. He was thrust into the portal without the luxury of a mapped-out landing spot. But he has made the most of it, showcasing his abilities at Syracuse’s Pro Day and making one final statement to scouts. “Watch the tape,” he said when asked what he brings to the NFL. It’s a confident, no-nonsense answer, fitting for a QB who’s done talking about potential and is ready to prove it. Learning under Stroud gave him a front-row seat to elite quarterback play, but now, Kyle McCord is taking a chance on himself.
His transfer story is one of resilience. “I mean, I was not anticipating leaving Ohio State after the season—kind of happened on short notice,” McCord admitted in a 1v1 interview. He didn’t have the luxury of picking his next stop with a long list of suitors. Instead, he entered the portal blindly, and just a day later, Syracuse coach Fran Brown was in his living room, making his pitch. “Tell me why I should come to ‘Cuse, just to see how it all played out,” McCord recalled. And it turned out to be exactly what Coach Brown promised. The season was a proving ground, a chance for McCord to step out of the OSU shadow and finally take control of his narrative.
His biggest takeaway? Freedom. “Obviously, throwing about 40, 50 times a game as a QB is a dream come true,” McCord said. Syracuse gave him the chance to air it out, to play in an offense tailored to his strengths. “Surrounded by a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players. It was a great year,” he said. Now that’s a statement that carries more weight considering how chaotic his journey had been. He’s no longer the quarterback waiting his turn—he’s the guy proving he belongs.
Now, the NFL is calling. Kyle McCord has already spoken to 24 teams at the combine and says “a bunch” more have reached out since. He’s hopping between Zoom meetings, in-person visits, and private workouts, talking to probably everybody at this point. That’s the reality of being a potential backup quarterback in the NFL—the market is always open, and teams are always looking for the right guy to develop. The feedback has been varied, but McCord is taking it all in stride, focusing on his conversations with coaches and executives to fine-tune his preparation for the jump to the pros.
McCord’s path won’t be easy, but it’s nothing he hasn’t experienced before. He knows he’s likely stepping into a situation where he’s backing up an entrenched starter. But he also knows how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Kyle McCord focused on the bigger goal
Performances in pre-draft events like SU’s Pro Day don’t sway his feelings too much. Those eyes are set on something bigger. And his message to the 32 NFL teams is clear.
“I’m training to be an NFL quarterback. I’m not training to look good at my Pro Day,” McCord said, making it clear that his focus is long-term success, not just wowing scouts in a controlled environment. “That was really the one thing that I tried to keep in front of my mind the entire time, is that as much as it’s about getting ready for the different phases, it’s just about getting ready to play quarterback in the NFL.”
Still, McCord did exactly what he needed to at Pro Day—look sharp, clean, and in control. His performance didn’t give scouts anything to nitpick, which is a win in itself. At his best, McCord fits the mold of a classic pocket passer—intelligent, composed, and capable of managing a game.
His journey to the NFL feels like déjà vu. At Ohio State, he sat behind C.J. Stroud for two years before stepping into the spotlight. “I think that whole process, sitting behind him for two years, is going to help me regardless of whatever situation I step into,” McCord said to the daily orange. Playing behind the Texans’ QB1 prepared him mentally, most likely it will happen again at the pro level, but McCord will be ready for the starter battle.
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