The Philadelphia Eagles added another hometown hero to their roster on Saturday, selecting Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord with the 181st pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The selection represents a homecoming for the 22-year-old Mt. Laurel native, whose football journey has now come full circle.
McCord’s path to the NFL began at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, where he established himself as one of the region’s most prolific high school quarterbacks. During his tenure at the Prep, McCord led the Hawks to three consecutive state championships, forming a dynamic duo with current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who was selected earlier in this year’s draft.
“When I got that ‘215’ phone call, I was thinking it was just another prank call. But picking up the phone and having [general manager] Howie [Roseman] on the other side was pretty cool,” McCord told reporters after being drafted.
Following his decorated high school career, McCord took his talents to Ohio State, where he spent three seasons with the Buckeyes. After playing behind C.J. Stroud for two years, McCord earned the starting role in 2023, throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
Rather than enter a quarterback competition at Ohio State, McCord transferred to Syracuse for his final collegiate season. The move paid dividends as he led the Orange to a 10-win campaign and victory in the Holiday Bowl over Washington State. McCord’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular, as he set an ACC record with 4,779 passing yards while throwing 34 touchdowns.
“I knew regardless of if I was at Ohio State or Syracuse, I was going to make a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2 (as a starter),” McCord said at the NFL Combine. “I was very confident in that.”
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 218 pounds, McCord possesses the physical tools that NFL teams covet. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was particularly impressed by the quarterback’s mental processing. “What really stands out is how quickly he moves through progressions and how quickly his mind works. Really excited to work with him,” Sirianni said.
McCord joins a quarterback room that includes franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. While McCord understands his role as a developmental prospect, he’s eager to learn from Hurts and the Eagles’ coaching staff. “Obviously, Jalen is the guy, and I think he’s going to be a great mentor and someone who I’m just going to try and mimic,” McCord explained. “He’s had a lot of success in the league and it’s not by accident.”
For McCord, being drafted by the Eagles represents the culmination of a childhood dream. Growing up in South Jersey, he was a fan of the team he now plays for, making Saturday’s selection all the more meaningful. “It has been a little bit of a wild ride,” McCord reflected. “Being here right now, it’s a little surreal. It was a dream growing up, and so just trying to soak it all in.”