Eagles QB Involved in Wild Draft Prank Misunderstanding

Former Ohio State and Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord nearly missed the biggest call of his life.

Drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 NFL Draft, McCord revealed he was initially unsure whether the team’s call was real due to multiple prank calls he had received throughout the day. According to The Columbus Dispatch, McCord said he got “a few prank calls from 609 numbers and 215 numbers”—both area codes associated with the Philadelphia metro area—before the actual call came through.

“I got a few prank calls from 609 numbers and 215 numbers, so when I got that 215 phone call, I was thinking it was another prank call,” McCord said. “But picking up the phone and having Howie [Roseman, the Eagles general manager] on the other side, it was pretty cool.”

McCord isn’t alone. This year’s draft class has seen a spike in prank call incidents, with several high-profile prospects—including Shedeur Sanders, Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, Tyler Warren and Chase Lundt—reportedly receiving fake draft calls before hearing from an actual NFL team.

While draft-day prank calls aren’t new, the increased frequency has sparked debate over the NFL’s longstanding tradition of teams calling prospects just before their names are announced. Some fans are calling for a shift.

“Solution: don’t call players before the selection,” one X user wrote. “Let them watch the pick live or on TV, get an awesome reaction on camera, and then have teams call the player after to congratulate them.”

Others argue the tradition should continue, suggesting that teams implement better security around the pre-call process to prevent impostors from spoiling one of the most emotional moments in an athlete’s life.

McCord, who played three seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse, capped off his college career by leading the FBS with an ACC-record 4,779 passing yards and 34 touchdowns in 2024. The Philadelphia-area native now returns home to compete for a roster spot behind Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The Eagles selected McCord with the 181st overall pick, adding another developmental quarterback to a room that continues to draw national attention. Despite the prank call confusion, McCord said the real call from Philadelphia made it all worth it.

Eagles QB Involved in Wild Draft Prank Misunderstanding

Tags: