![]() Gadsden with Syracuse Orange in 2024 | |
Syracuse Orange–No. 19 | |
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Position | Tight end |
Class | Junior |
Major | Economics |
Personal information | |
Born: | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | June 25, 2003
Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight | 243 lb (110 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
|
Bowl games | 2022 Pinstripe Bowl 2023 Boca Bowl 2024 Holiday Bowl |
High school | American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) |
Career highlights and awards | |
Oronde Benjamin Gadsden II (born June 25, 2003) is an American football tight end for the Syracuse Orange.
Gadsden 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]
As a true freshman at Syracuse in 2021, Gadsden played in eight games, mostly on special teams, and had two receptions for 24 yards. [5] [6] He entered 2022 as both a wide receiver and tight end. [7] [8] [9]
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 reception total is the single season total record 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 (NIL) linked transfer deal to "make a name for [him]self at Syracuse". [11]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in (1.95 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | 33+3⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 34.0 in (0.86 m) | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | |||||||
All values from NFL Combine [12] [13] [14] |
His father, Oronde Gadsden, played in the NFL. [15]