Kyle McCord appeal: Fran Brown gives major update, makes bold NFL Draft claim

The NCAA is expected to make a decision this week on an appeal that would grant Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord a fifth year of eligibility, according to Orange coach Fran Brown.

McCord filed for a waiver that would grant him an additional year of eligibility but was denied by the NCAA. He has since submitted the appeal in an effort to fight the decision.

McCord is coming off of a season in which he threw for an FBS-leading 4,779 yards passing and 34 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Brown added in an appearance on the ACC Network that he views the QB as a top five prospect at his position if the appeal were to be denied and McCord entered the 2025 NFL Draft.

McCord set the ACC single-season passing record this season, surpassing former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. He was named second team All-ACC and finished 10th in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.

McCord spent the first three seasons of his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse ahead of this past year. He was a starter for the Buckeyes in 2023, throwing for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns to six interceptions while leading them to an 11-2 record.

This past season, McCord helped Syracuse to finish with 10 wins for only the third time in the past 25 years. His return would be a major boost for the Orange after they finished tied for fourth in the ACC standings following a win against Miami to close the regular season.

Kyle McCord played in five games as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2021, which is one more game than is allowed for a player to save a year of eligibility through taking a redshirt. However, given how close he was to the number, he seems to believe that he has a case to be granted one more year.

Throughout the year, Brown thanked Ohio State coach Ryan Day multiple times for allowing McCord to come to Syracuse. He did so again after the regular season and made it clear he’s not joking or being disrespectful.

“I’m happy that Kyle was able to go and clear his name, come here and show that he’s a good quarterback,” Brown said. “I got ridiculed for stating that I wanted to send Ryan Day a bottle of champagne where I wasn’t being disrespectful. I was just saying, this guy’s the real deal, and you guys let him come here. Like, great, thank you. I still owe him. Should send him some more, should send him a (expletive) case, not even a bottle. Excuse my language, but just extremely excited and thankful for Kyle.”