Syracuse Pro Day recap & observations
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse hosted its annual Pro Day on Monday, showcasing NFL Draft-eligible players, along with a few visitors from other schools. Twelve Syracuse athletes participated, with more than 50 scouts and staff from 30 NFL organizations in attendance.
The players took part in standard combine drills, including the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, and three-cone drill, as well as positional drills, all of which were open to the media. Bench press, vertical jump, and measurements were restricted to scouts and team personnel.
The day concluded with quarterback Kyle McCord and other skill players putting on one final display against the air. McCord was joined by quarterback coach and consultant Jordan Palmer, who has trained recent NFL standouts such as Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Sam Darnold.
While much attention has been given to offensive standouts like Kyle McCord, Lequint Allen Jr., and Oronde Gadsden II, Monday's focus was on the defense.
Fadil Diggs, who impressed at the NFL Combine with his athleticism, continued to showcase his competitive edge. Despite his strong combine performance—which included a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time among edge rushers—Diggs still chose to participate in Pro Day.
"No, that was never the mindset," Diggs said when asked about skipping the event. "If there is an opportunity to play football, I'm putting my cleats on. Just showing that I'm able to compete—it doesn't matter what time it is, I'm always willing to put my cleats on."
Diggs, who led Syracuse with 7.5 sacks this past season, transferred in after spending three years at Texas A&M. His 7.5 sacks nearly matched the eight he recorded in his entire tenure with the Aggies. He also tallied 45 total tackles, including 14 for loss, displaying impressive versatility.
Many recall Diggs' two-sack performance against UNLV as his most memorable game. However, his ability to step into a central role after Marlowe Wax's injury against Georgia Tech solidified his impact.
At Pro Day, Diggs opted not to run the 40-yard dash again but participated in the short shuttle and three-cone drill.
Wax, who returned from an early-season injury to finish his final year, showed he was back to full strength. After reportedly running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, teammates erupted in celebration.
"I don't know if y'all saw it, but he got out," Diggs said. "His 10-yard split was probably crazy… It was just special to see because of all the work he put in coming back from injury."
A five-year veteran for Syracuse, Wax was determined to prove himself at his own Pro Day.
"Scouts were wondering if I was gonna run well, if I was gonna move well because of the injury," Wax said. "But that's not even a thought anymore. I feel good about the injury and everything."
Wax's best friend and former teammate, Justin Barron, also participated—this time as a linebacker. Previously a safety, Barron moved into the box after Wax's injury for the betterment of the team, embodying the versatility that defined this Syracuse squad.
"This happened in an unfortunate way—my best friend got hurt," Barron said. "But I am thankful that he was able to come back and play next to me because he was the biggest helper for me."
Barron competed in the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, short shuttle, and positional drills. While some question whether he is a true linebacker, Barron is simply focused on being around the ball.
"The biggest thing for me is being around football. I feel like that's when I'm at my best," Barron said. "I've said that throughout my career, and I think it's stayed true. I've been able to prove that, and I'm comfortable in any scheme."
Finally, defensive back Alijah Clark, another NFL Combine invitee, participated in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. At the Combine, the bigger-framed DB ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash but skipped the other agility tests. Clark, who spoke with all 32 NFL teams, believes his size enhances his versatility.
Pro Day marked a final sendoff for these defensive anchors, leaving new head coach Fran Brown with big shoes to fill, especially with a five-year stalwart like Wax departing. However, the departing players offered advice to those coming next: trust Brown, and the program will be in good hands. With the rise of the transfer portal and new signings, Syracuse's roster will continue to evolve. Brown can only hope to replicate the success he saw in 2024.
