SU defensive back Isaiah Johnson signed a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins over the weekend. The redshirt senior started every game of the regular season this year, tallying six pass breakups and one interception. Johnson is the only player from Syracuse to sign with an NFL team so far, with zero Orange players being drafted. So, will Syracuse’s presence in the draft look different next year? Here are three Syracuse players to keep your eye on when the NFL draft rolls around in Green Bay next year.
QB Kyle McCord
This should not come as a surprise to anybody. The junior had over 3,000 yards last season along with 24 touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes to an 11-win season. The Philadelphia native is a proven winner and is looking to bring the same energy to the 315. The quarterback looked solid in the spring game, completing 18-of-28 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown in just the first half. McCord’s success this season will all come down to the weapons around him. If he has a similar season to last year, its safe to say that the quarterback will be an attractive option to any team in need of a new playcaller.
TE Oronde Gadsden II
Gadsden has a lot to prove coming into this year after being out for the majority of the season with an injury last year. In his sophomore season though, the tight-end earned first-team All-ACC honors. Gadsden caught 61 passes for 969 yards and six touchdowns. The Florida native led all tight ends nationally in yardage. Gadsden has shown glimpses of greatness throughout his time at SU. Where the tight end falls in the draft though is fully dependent on his performance this upcoming season.
RB LeQuint Allen Jr.
Allen is bound to enter the draft after this season. The tailback earned All-ACC honors this past year, rushing for 1,338 yards and 10 rushing scores. The thing that truly will make Allen stand out to NFL teams is his ability to be a pass-catching back. In Syracuse’s 2023 campaign, the New Jersey native caught 55 passes for 330 yards. Two of those receptions resulted in scores. If Allen can keep up the production in the backfield like we saw last season, he can most definitely be selected in the later rounds of next year’s draft.
