Oronde Gadsden II makes All-ACC 1st Team, 12 SU players honored
Aaron Hammer | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon. Gadsden leads the way for the Orange as quarterback Kyle McCord and wide receivers Jackson Meeks and Trebor Peña earned Second Team honors. Cornerback Clarence Lewis was named to the Third Team.
LeQuint Allen Jr., Savion Washington, Jakob Bradford, Fadil Diggs, Justin Barron, Marlowe Wax and Jack Stonehouse received votes in the Honorable Mention category. The 12 players selected are an increase from SU’s five a season ago.
Gadsden was one of two SU players named to the All-ACC Preseason Poll. Propelling the Orange to a 9-3 record, the senior lived up to the hype. After missing much of 2023, Gadsden totaled five touchdowns, 69 receptions and 860 receiving yards this season. He totaled 100 receiving yards or more in five games, including a season-high 142 receiving yard performance against UNLV.
In his first season with the Orange, McCord led the nation in passing. He averaged 360.5 yards per game and 4,326 passing yards total, all while ranking fourth with 29 touchdowns. Meeks led the Orange in receiving yards with 911 while scoring seven touchdowns. Peña led the team with 79 receptions.
Lewis, a transfer cornerback from Notre Dame, made the Third Team. He fortified SU’s secondary, leading the team in pass breakups with 11. For Honorable Mentions, Allen Jr. was honored as a running back and all-purpose offensive weapon.
Washington, the right tackle, helped keep McCord protected throughout the season. He totaled 960 snaps and a 71.0 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. SU’s left guard, Bradford, also was honored.
On defense, Barron and Wax were both honored for the second straight season. Stonehouse was one of three punters to be named an Honorable Mention.
Published on December 3, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky