Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Size:
Height: 6030
Weight: 218
Arm: 31”
Hand: 9 ½”
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-ACC (2024)
"Kyle McCord is a primary pocket passer whose experience in a pro-style attack and ability to win inside of structure should present the opportunity to compete for snaps at the NFL level."
Strengths:
Experience in pro-style offense
Ability to win inside structure
Attacks coverage
Poise
Concerns:
Pocket maneuverability
Creativity outside the pocket
Inconsistent ball placement
Average arm
Film Analysis:
Kyle McCord is a primary pocket passer whose experience in a pro-style attack and ability to win inside of structure should present the opportunity to compete for snaps at the NFL level. Classic throwback passer whose lone season at Syracuse saw him surpass Deshaun Watson (Clemson) for the most single-season passing yards in ACC history, totaling 5,044 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Pre-snap, McCord exhibits a strong football IQ, adept at identifying alignments and exploiting mismatches. Attacks favorable one-on-one matchups without hesitation. Post-snap, he operates with smooth efficiency, demonstrating quick processing speeds, particularly in the quick passing game where the ball is out as soon as his back foot hits the turf.
Footwork and overall fundamentals at the position are pro-ready, headlined by calm and quiet movements that maintain balance and sync well with route concepts. He does have more zip coiled up in his frame, however, where he can be an all-arm thrower at times, rather than generating his force from the ground up and extending through his follow-through as the ball releases off of his fingertips. His wrist, at times, looks stiff where he will push the football, instead of ripping it with confidence to create a tight spiral through the air.
McCord has displayed the ability to threaten all levels of the field, but he has good, not great velocity, and the ball will hang on targets 25-plus yards downfield. Can lock onto targets at times, but does an adequate job at holding safeties before flashing his eyes to his target. Does well to maneuver around chaos in the pocket, but must do a better job of understanding when to climb up instead of vacating the area to avoid traffic altogether. Has experience making throws with bodies in his face.
Concerns remain about his arm strength, one year of productivity, and his limited ability to make plays inside the pocket which could restrict his ceiling. Additionally, his tendency to lock onto his primary read has led to turnovers against more instinctive and athletic defenders. His athletic profile is below average, but McCord is by no means a statue in the pocket where he can stretch plays and gain a few yards here and there to keep defenses honest (TD run vs Pitt).
Overall, McCord projects as a signal-caller who can thrive in a precision-based offense that emphasizes timing over pure arm talent. His football IQ and quick decision-making make him a candidate to develop into a starter, provided he is in a system that aligns with his strengths and compensates for his limitations.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: NC State (2024), Pitt (2024), Miami (2024), UNLV (2024)
