Syracuse, N.Y.—One of the biggest questions about Syracuse football’s 2024 training camp was answered almost before it could be asked.
How is Orange tight end/wide receiver/freak of nature Oronde Gadsden II doing after missing last season with a foot injury?
Just fine, thank you.
On the third offensive play of the first 11-on-11 team period of camp, SU quarterback Kyle McCord found Gadsden streaking down the right sideline and connected with him on a dime on what would have been about a 70-yard touchdown.
It doesn’t matter that it was the first day or that the Orange are not in pads yet or any other excuse you want to toss my way.
It was a flash of a dynamic that McCord and Gadsden will look to replicate time and again when the games matter. McCord must have been having flashbacks to when he got to connect with first-round draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. for 14 touchdowns last season at Ohio State.
“It’s unfair to be honest,” McCord said. “Wherever you line him up, it’s a mismatch. He’s too big for corners, too fast for safeties, too fast for linebackers. It’s definitely fun to line him up wherever and know that you have an advantage there.”
Gadsden’s firm declaration of being full speed was just one highlight of the first day of SU football training camp.
Syracuse.com’s Emily Leiker and I hopped on a live edition of Syracuse Sports to offer more observations.
You can watch the full podcast in the YouTube clip above.
Contact Brent Axe: Email | X | Voicemail 315-552-1964
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