After deciding to enter the transfer portal, former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord has a new home.
McCord has decided to move to the ACC and transfer to Syracuse, joining the Orange for the 2024 season.
Why Has Kyle McCord Chosen Syracuse?
Syracuse appeared as a landing spot for Kyle McCord late on, with Syracuse.com reporter Brent Axe updating on December 17 that sources close to the program had told him that McCord’s future had been decided. Axe reported that an “official announcement on McCord’s commitment to Syracuse could come as early as Sunday.”
This comes as McCord was predicted to be joining Nebraska, after taking an official visit with the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska Reporter Steve Sipple shared on Dec. 5 that the Cornhuskers’ offensive coordinator, Marcus Satterfield, was visiting Columbus to speak with McCord.
But, with heavy links to five-star recruit Dylan Raiola becoming louder, McCord decided a move to Lincoln wasn’t for him.
Steve Naxos of On3 reported on Dec 13 that McCord “Will be moving forward with his recruitment, keeping his options open and looking at another batch of schools. The Huskers will not be in the mix.”
In his first year as a starter in 2023, McCord threw for 3,776 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. McCord had the Buckeyes in College Football Playoff contention before they narrowly lost 30-24 to Michigan in The Game. McCord threw an interception with seconds left in The Game, with Ohio State in scoring position.
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At the end of the season, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made it clear that they would “evaluate everything.” Pete Thamel has reported that “Kyle McCord was part of that evaluation, obviously. He and his camp felt like they didn’t have a guarantee to start.”
A guaranteed start has been a dealbreaker for McCord. It is why Nebraska had been so heavily linked but with the potential arrival of Raiola for the 2024 season, McCord has turned his attention to the Orange, where he should be the starting QB for the 2024 season.
Why Did Syracuse Need a New QB?
After firing former head coach Dino Babers, Syracuse is looking to the future, having hired Fran Brown to be their next head coach. Brown has now also locked up his QB for the 2024 season with the arrival of McCord.
The first on the long list of jobs for Babers would have been to secure the services of a quarterback. Garrett Sharder has been the Orange’s man under center since he transferred from Mississippi State in 2021, has now exhausted his eligibility, and there was no clear succession plan for Syracuse.
While McCord isn’t the long-term solution for Syracuse, he does bring the experience and consistency that the Orange needs in 2024.
The signing of the former Buckeye is a huge success for ‘Cuse in the transfer portal. Managing to lock up one of the top quarterbacks on the market is a big deal. However, the foundations had already been laid for a potential run at McCord for the Orange.
Syracuse had recruited McCord out of high school as a five-star prospect but lost out on his official commitment. HC Brown has also reportedly already been in contact with McCord.
The relationship and interest between Syracuse and McCord are mutual. The Orange desperately need a prudent QB for the 2024 season, and McCord needs a certainty to start. He will get that for the 2024 season in Syracuse.
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