Oronde Gadsden’s specialty has always been running routes and catching passes.

“Just playing receiver growing up, and then my first year here just always working out like a receiver, always working out with the receivers,” Gadsden said.

Those skills turned Gadsden into one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in Syracuse history. It’s something that he’s now working to translate into the next level.

“Those are the tight ends that they pay the most,” he said. “And those receivers are the guys that also get paid the most, along with quarterbacks.” 

Gadsden showcased what he can deliver recently at the NFL combine and then at the Syracuse Pro Day, as he worked out in front of numerous teams. The All-American tight end is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a wide receiver in the NFL.

“This, like pro day process has been better with him,” Gadsden said. “But for the combine, I've talked to other people because he didn't get to go to the combine or anything like that. So it just depends on having him as a resource to talk to other people or just talking to himself has been good.”

After coming back from a season-ending injury, Gadsden recorded 73 catches for 934 yards and seven touchdowns in the final year with the Orange as he put himself on the NFL draft radar. It’s something he credits head coach Fran Brown for helping him accomplish.

“All the stuff that he's had us do differently than what we've had before is next-level stuff,” Gadsden said. 

“I think that you'll be getting a bunch of tough kids that already went and prove you wrong,” Brown said. “When you said they were going to be like 13th in the conference last year, they made us be No. 4.”

As the Syracuse chapter closes for Gadsden, there’s a lot to be thankful as he now prepares to open the NFL chapter of his life.

“It was great while I was being here,” Gadsden said. “And I'm grateful for all the people that I met and all the things I've learned along the way.”