One of Syracuse’s most dynamic players joins the returning crew
The Syracuse Orange received a nice post-Christmas gift on Boxing Day as Oronde Gadsden II announced he’ll return to Central New York for the 2024 season. The tight end/wide receiver hybrid missed nearly the entirety of the 2023 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury on the second play of Syracuse’s first drive against Western Michigan, the second game of the Orange season.
— Oronde Gadsden II (@Orondegii) December 26, 2023
“I still have unfinished business,” Gadsden said in a social media he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The dynamic playmaker was named a second-team preseason All-American this year at tight end by the Associated Press, just behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. Gadsden was looking to build on a first-team All-ACC season in 2022 where he led the Orange with 969 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Recovery from a Lisfranc injury can usually take one year, However, notable athletes such as Julio Jones and Chet Holmgren have recovered and performed well after a Lisfranc injury.
Syracuse fans and new head coach Fran Brown will be hoping Gadsden can recover to his pre-injury form, as the Orange’s top receiver from last season, Damien Alford, only managed 610 receiving yards. In addition, no one in the ‘Cuse receiving corps recorded more than three touchdowns in 2023. With a new quarterback in Kyle McCord and plenty of young receivers from the recruiting cycle and transfer portal, Gadsden will be asked to lead the receiving room both on and off the field.
Gadsden joins Justin Barron as Orange players who have announced they’ll be returning to Central New York for another season. Syracuse looks to improve on a 6-6 regular season that ended with a Boca Raton Bowl loss to USF.