Kyle McCord’s transfer to Syracuse paid off with an NFL draft selection.
The former Ohio State and Syracuse quarterback was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 181st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was selected ahead of his replacement at Ohio State, Will Howard – though Howard was drafted just four picks later – as well as fellow former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers.
McCord spent three seasons with the Buckeyes after signing with Ohio State as a five-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. He started every game for OSU in the 2023 season and threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns to six interceptions. Ryan Day and Ohio State opted to move in a different direction, however, following a loss to Michigan in which McCord threw two interceptions.
McCord transferred to Syracuse and ultimately, the move worked out well for both sides. Howard led Ohio State to a national championship while McCord led the nation in passing, throwing for 4,779 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, McCord said he held no bad blood toward Ohio State and that he was happy to see them win the national championship.
“It was awesome,” McCord said. “I mean, obviously, those are my guys, so seeing them accomplish that goal was sweet, knowing how bad they worked for it. I had a great year and they had a great year and so it was just cool to see everybody win, to be honest.”
McCord was the seventh quarterback to be selected in the 2025 NFL draft, following Miami’s Cam Ward (Titans, No. 1 overall), Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart (Giants, No. 25), Louisville’s Tyler Shough (Saints, No. 40), Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (Seahawks, No. 92), Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel (Browns, No. 94) and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (Browns, No. 144).
