Syracuse's McCord will enter NFL draft, no longer pursue eligibility waiver

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord will declare for the 2025 NFL Draft after deciding to stop his pursuit of an NCAA eligibility waiver for another season, he told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

The senior passer transferred to Syracuse for the 2024 season after three years at Ohio State. The NCAA ruling on McCord's appeal for a fifth season of eligibility was expected to come this week, Orange head coach Fran Brown said Jan. 6, according to Chris Carlson of syracuse.com.

McCord led the nation with 391 completions, 592 pass attempts, and 4,779 passing yards and threw 34 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He helped Syracuse finish the campaign with a 10-3 record, including a Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State in which McCord set the ACC single-season passing yards record.

"I'd be so thankful if Kyle comes back," Brown said earlier this week, according to Ashley Wenskoski of CNY Central.

"But, in the same sense, I do feel that this kid is ready to play in the National Football League. So, it's both sides for me because I care about him, and what's best for him. ... I think it will be great for college football if we did have a quarterback like him coming back here to play at Syracuse again. That would be amazing for us and our fanbase, for him and his family, because he truly is a leader."

Colorado star Shedeur Sanders and Miami signal-caller Cam Ward are widely viewed as the top prospects under center ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has also declared, while former Georgia passer Carson Beck recently decided not to enter the draft and transferred to Miami instead.