In a historic move, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old becomes Syracuse’s first pass-catcher drafted since Mike Williams in 2010, the program’s first selection since 2023, and its first under head coach Fran Brown.
Oronde Gadsden’s NFL Dream Comes True As He Joins The Chargers
Gadsden spent four years at Syracuse and is widely regarded as one of the program’s best receivers, recording 13 touchdowns and earning two first-team All-ACC selections.
He finished his Orange career as the tight end leader in receptions (141) and yards (1,970) after entering campus as the top recruit, and second-best wide receiver in the 2021 class.
Gadsden’s selection brings a young, promising pass catcher to the Chargers’ tight end room alongside Tyler Conklin, Tucker Fisk, and Will Dissly. The 6’5″, 243-pounder will test his skills against NFL competition after a decorated college career.
A 2024 third-team All-American, Gadsden finished last season with 73 catches for 934 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Better on the receiving end and still developing in the run game, still getting better, always trying to be the best player, best tight end I could be,” Gadsden said. “You always want to be the best you can; you want to be a Hall of Famer.”
Gadsden could become a key cog in the Chargers’ offense. He has proven workhorse pass-catching ability and can handle a high volume of targets. He owns Syracuse’s top two individual seasons for receptions, setting the mark in both 2022 and 2024.
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The Chargers will hope Gadsden replicates his Orange form in the NFL after he finished sixth in school history in receiving yards per game (55.3) and fifth in career receptions. His final season was his best: he earned first-team All-ACC honors and third-team All-American recognition after setting a single-season tight end record with those 73 receptions.
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