Oronde Gadsden II
Oronde Benjamin Gadsden II (born June 25, 2003) is an American football tight end for the Syracuse Orange.
Syracuse Orange – No. 19 | |
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Position | Tight end |
Class | Junior |
Major | Economics |
Personal information | |
Born: | Miramar, Florida | June 25, 2003
Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight | 223 lb (101 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
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High school | American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career
Gadsden II attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida.[1][2] He committed to Syracuse University to play college football over offers from Penn State, Baylor, Kentucky, and others.[3][4]
Freshman Year
As a true freshman at Syracuse in 2021, Gadsden II, played in eight games and had two receptions for 24 yards.[5][6] He entered 2022 as both a wide receiver and tight end.[7][8][9]
Sophomore Year
In Robert Anae's pass-heavy offense, Gadsden moved from outside receiver to a hybrid of slot receiver and tight end. He was asked to block more and make catches in the middle of the field.[2]
The move paid off for Gadsden, who was named First Team All-ACC after recording 61 receptions for 969 yards and six touchdowns.[4] The receptions mark is the highest single season total for a Syracuse sophomore.[10] Playing against NC State on October 15, 2022, Gadsden earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors, as he hauled in eight passes for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.[10] At season's end, Gadsden was given the Bill Maxwell Award as the most improved player in the Syracuse offense.[10]
During the off-season, Gadsden declined a Name, image and likeness linked transfer deal to "make a name for [him]self at Syracuse".[11]
Personal life
His father, Oronde Gadsden, played in the NFL.[12]
References
- Alandt, Anthony (31 August 2023). "MADE FOR THIS: Syracuse's generational weapon took 2 years to burst onto the scene". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- Smith, Connor (5 October 2022). "Oronde Gadsden II's 2nd breakout season keyed by patience, adjustments". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- Carlson, Chris (2020-09-14). "Syracuse football lands verbal commitment from Oronde Gadsden II, son of former Miami Dolphins receiver". syracuse. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- Chadwick, Max (25 July 2023). "Oronde Gadsden II has sights set on continuing NFL receiving legacy". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- St. Croix, Josh. "College football: Syracuse's Gadsden II adjusting to new role as a versatile tight end". NNY360. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- Leiker, Emily (2022-09-18). "Babers: Anyone who didn't notice Gadsden's talent before breakout game is 'Stevie Wonder'". syracuse. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- Leiker, Emily (2022-09-01). "Oronde Gadsden at tight end? There's more to it than that". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- Losito, Alaina. "Oronde Gadsden Discusses Move to Tight End". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- "Syracuse's Oronde Gadsden emerges as offensive threat". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- "Oronde Gadsden II - Football".
- Leiker, Emily (26 July 2023). "Gadsden says he turned down huge money to transfer: 'I wanna make a name for myself at Syracuse'". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- Tamurian, Niko (2020-09-14). "Former NFL star's son picks Syracuse Football over Penn State, others". WSTM. Retrieved 2022-10-03.