With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, the buzz surrounding potential late-round selections and undrafted free agent signings is heating up. While all the headlines tend to focus on the elite first-rounders and the blue-chip names projected to go early, the reality is that much of a team’s long-term success is built in the margins — Day 3 of the draft and the flurry of activity in the hours that follow. That’s exactly where players like Syracuse’s crop of draft hopefuls and quarterback Kyle McCord find themselves: flying just under the radar, yet firmly on the radar of scouts and general managers looking for value and potential.

Kyle McCord’s journey to the 2025 NFL Draft has been anything but conventional. Once a five-star recruit with immense expectations at Ohio State, McCord entered the transfer portal after a rocky junior year and eventually landed at Syracuse. For many quarterbacks, a move from a powerhouse like Ohio State to a program rebuilding its brand would be seen as a step down. But in McCord’s case, it became an opportunity — one he’s taken full advantage of.

In his lone season with the Orange, McCord showed growth in his command of the offense, pocket awareness, and intermediate accuracy. While his numbers weren’t jaw-dropping — 2,781 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions — the tape reveals a quarterback who can make all the throws and thrives in rhythm. He lacks elite mobility and can occasionally lock in on his first read, but in the right system, McCord has the profile of a developmental backup who could become more.

Scouts have been mixed on McCord throughout the draft process, but as we inch closer to April, his name is gaining momentum as a likely Day 3 pick — potentially in the sixth or seventh round. Quarterbacks are always in demand, and teams are always looking to find value under center without using early capital. McCord could fit that mold for a team with a stable veteran starter and a strong coaching staff that can nurture his potential.

But McCord isn’t the only Syracuse player attracting attention in the 2025 draft cycle. Several other Orange prospects are quietly building solid cases for themselves to hear their names called late or secure opportunities as undrafted free agents.

Among the most talked-about is offensive lineman Kalan Ellis. At 6-foot-6 and over 360 pounds, Ellis is a mountain of a man and was a staple of the Orange offensive front. His strength and size alone make him a prospect worth watching. While there are concerns about his foot speed and lateral agility, some teams believe they can mold him into a rotational guard or even a swing tackle. Ellis projects as a potential seventh-round pick or a priority free agent with strong upside in power run schemes.

Then there’s linebacker Marlowe Wax, a three-year starter who brought intensity and production to the Syracuse defense. Wax is a downhill thumper with a nose for the football. He racked up over 100 tackles in his final season, showing leadership and versatility as both a run defender and occasional blitzer. What he lacks in elite speed he makes up for in instincts and tenacity. He could easily be a Day 3 selection, likely between Rounds 6 and 7, or find his way onto a roster through special teams contributions early in his career.

Wide receiver Damien Alford is another name drawing some late interest. Measuring at 6-foot-5, Alford brings size and vertical ability that make him a deep threat. His consistency and route running have been areas of concern, but in a class where physical receivers are in demand, Alford could be a high-upside pick in the later rounds. Some scouts compare him to former late-round standouts who blossomed in the right system. His raw traits could be enough to convince a team to take a flier in Round 7 or invite him to camp with an eye toward development.

Syracuse cornerback Isaiah Johnson is also worth mentioning. Johnson doesn’t have the prototypical height many teams covet on the outside, but he’s physical at the line and brings a scrappy edge to his game. He projects as a slot corner or special teamer at the next level, and while he may not be drafted, his profile fits the mold of players who stick in the league through sheer effort and adaptability.

Overall, this isn’t a Syracuse class expected to light up the early rounds, but there’s real value in the group. These are the types of players who find themselves on 53-man rosters in September — not because they were five-star athletes or Combine darlings, but because they know how to work, contribute in multiple ways, and fit into NFL systems.

For Kyle McCord, the journey from Ohio State to Syracuse and now potentially to an NFL roster reflects the new era of college football, where player mobility is more prominent than ever. His time at Syracuse may not have resulted in a Heisman campaign or national spotlight, but it gave him the snaps, leadership role, and on-field reps he needed to grow. His arm talent and experience in two very different systems make him intriguing to evaluators looking for depth at the most important position in sports.

The good news for all these players is that Day 3 success stories are more common than ever. From Brock Purdy to Isiah Pacheco, late-round picks and undrafted free agents have been proving they belong — and even thriving — in NFL systems that value fit and work ethic over pedigree alone. Teams recognize this, and that’s why the projection for these Syracuse players and McCord isn’t one of an afterthought but of opportunity.

Draft weekend is just the beginning. The path from rookie minicamps to training camps to Week 1 is a grind, and it’s often where the underdogs separate themselves. McCord and his fellow Syracuse draft hopefuls are well aware of what lies ahead. But if their collegiate careers are any indication, they’re not shying away from the challenge.

The 2025 NFL Draft may not be about splashy headlines for this group, but make no mistake — these names could be sticking around long after the lights dim on draft night.