SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The NFL season is just a few weeks away and preseason games have begun.
Syracuse football had 11 players either get drafted or sign with an NFL team as undrafted free agents this offseason.
Let’s take a look at how they have been doing in preseason training camps so far.
Kyle McCord (QB, Philadelphia Eagles): Kyle McCord is on the hunt for the third-string spot, battling it out with Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
In his NFL debut on Thursday, McCord was just one for five for eight yards and an interception.
The Eagles currently have had four quarterbacks taking reps and it is unlikely that they will keep four after the August 26th deadline.
Jalen Hurts returns after winning the Super Bowl MVP last season and Tanner McKee is expected to be his backup.
Thompson-Robinson was acquired by the Eagles in the trade that traded away last year’s backup Kenny Pickett.
In the Eagles preseason game, Thompson-Robinson had five catches in eight attempts and 56 yards.
McCord will have two more preseason games to show the Birds his stuff.
Jackson Meeks (WR, Detroit Lions): Jackson Meeks had quite the NFL debut in his preseason game for the Lions.
The wide-receiver led his team in receiving yards in a 17-10 win over the Falcons on Friday.
He also had three catches on four targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Meeks is fighting for his spot with veterans all over the receiver room including Ronnie Bell and Tom Kennedy.
Oronde Gadsden II and Marlowe Wax (TE and LB, Los Angeles Chargers): For the Chargers, tight-end Oronde Gadsden has created a buzz.
He has shown a strong rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert.
In the unofficial depth chart that the Chargers released last week, Gadsden was listed at third-string at tight-end.
His teammate, Marlowe Wax, was also listed on that list: as fourth string at left inside linebacker.
Wax saw the field during the Chargers preseason game against the Lions and had two tackles.
Justin Barron and Alijah Clark (LB and S, Dallas Cowboys): Two former Syracuse players are trying to prove their worth for the Cowboys.
Justin Barron has been one of the biggest standouts among the Cowboys’ undrafted rookies.
Barron did not practice last Saturday due to a leg injury.
He is competing for one of the linebacker spots, but for now has to focus on getting healthy before opening day.
Teammate Alijah Clark did see some time in their preseason game. He put up five tackles against the Rams.
LeQuint Allen Jr. (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars): In Jaguars camp, LeQuint Allen has stood out.
In the Jacksonville backfield, he has the chance to join Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby and fellow rookie Bhayshul Tuten.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen lauded the seventh-round pick with praise following the Jaguar’s first preseason game.
“LeQuint Allen continues to show up in terms of just doing the right thing, all of the time,” said Coen. “He plays hard, he plays fast, he made a great move in space.”
In his final season at SU, Allen caught 64 passes for 521 yards, and in those, scored four touchdowns.