Kirk Herbstreit Names 'Forgotten' QB Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

"I think a guy that's a little bit forgotten is Kyle McCord out of Syracuse," Herbstreit said. "I just go by what I saw when he was at Ohio State ... If you just break his game down, and how he fits into the NFL, if there's a guy that's kind of off the radar that you can maybe get into the second round, maybe pass on a quarterback in the first round ... that would be the guy I think. He's got as big of an arm as anybody. He's got that gunslinger mentality."

McCord was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, according to On3. He had an inconsistent career that began at Ohio State, where he spent his first two seasons behind C.J. Stroud. In 2023, McCord finally got his opportunity to be the starting quarterback. During that season, he threw for 3,170 yards, completed 24 touchdowns, and recorded six interceptions, finishing with a completion rate of 65.8%. McCord led Ohio State to an 11-1 record; however, a 30-24 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, in which he threw two interceptions, resulted in the Buckeyes missing the playoff and marked McCord's final game with the team.

After the season, he decided to enter the transfer portal and join the Syracuse Orange for his final year. Last season turned out to be his best, as he threw for 4,779 yards, completed 34 touchdowns, and had 12 interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 66%. McCord ranked first in passing yards and fifth in touchdowns across college football, leading Syracuse to a 10-3 record, its best since 2018, and only its third 10-win season since 2000.

Athlon Sports does not have McCord going in the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL draft, despite being the No. 6-ranked quarterback. The draft will start on Thursday, April 24, and continue through Saturday on ESPN and the NFL Network.