Syracuse, N.Y.—It was the last chance to leave a lasting impression for several former Syracuse football players trying to land coveted roster spot in the National Football League.
Veterans like linebacker Zaire Franklin (Colts), cornerback Garrett Williams (Cardinals), safety Andre Cisco (Jets) and offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (Falcons) are safely on their teams’ respective 53-man rosters.
A slew of other former Orange players are fighting to stick in the league.
Here’s how former SU football players did in week three of the preseason with the deadline looming on Tuesday at 4 p.m. for NFL teams to make cuts and finalize the 53-man roster.
Eagles Jets Football
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord (19) passes under pressure from New York Jets cornerback Jordan Clark (33) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)AP
Kyle McCord, Philadelphia Eagles
McCord started and was the only quarterback to play for the Eagles in a 19-17 win over the New York Jets on Friday night.
McCord finished 15-of-35 for 136 yards, averaging just 3.9 yards per pass. He was sacked twice and threw an interception on a deep shot.
McCord finished the preseason 24-of-56 for 191 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
McCord has been battling with Dorian Thompson-Robinson to be the third quarterback on the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles’ depth chart behind Jalen Hurts ad Tanner McKee.
Roster prediction: Despite his up-and-down play in the preseason, McCord has likely secured a spot on the 53-man roster with the Eagles investing a sixth-round pick in him.
Justin Barron and Alijah Clark, Dallas Cowboys
Falcons Cowboys Football
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron reacts after a play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)AP
Barron had a productive night, making six tackles for the Cowboys in Dallas’ 31-13 win over Atlanta on Friday night.
Barron, who missed part of camp with an injury, finished the preseason with eight tackles.
“Justin Barron was awesome,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said.
Clark added three tackles for Dallas against the Falcons. He finished with eight tackles in two preseason games. Clark sat out Dallas’s second preseason game with an elbow injury.
Roster prediction: It doesn’t appear that either Barron or Clark will stick on Dallas’ roster, but don’t be surprised to see either picked up for the practice squad or by another team.
Tommy DeVito, New York Giants
Jets Giants Football
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) passes against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)AP
DeVito was impressive in the Giants’ preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
DeVito completed 15 of his first 17 passes while throwing a touchdown on each of his first three drives. He finished 17-of-20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns overall against the Patriots.
Roster prediction: It was likely a tryout for the rest of the league in New York’s preseason finale against New England as DeVito is likely the odd man out in a QB room that includes veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston along with first-round pick Jaxson Dart.
Jackson Meeks, Detroit Lions
Meeks had a quiet day in Detroit’s third preseason game with no catches and was targeted just once.
Roster prediction:Meeks had a standout preseason overall with 11 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns. At the very least, he has made Detroit really think about his future in the NFL.
If Meeks doesn’t stick with Detroit, he’ll get a good chance to do so somewhere else.
Oronde Gadsden II and Marlowe Wax, Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers 49ers Football
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers safety Marques Sigle (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)AP
Gadsden made three catches for 46 yards against San Francisco on Saturday night, including a 25-yard touchdown strike from DJ Uiagalelei.
Wax made six tackles, including a sack, hit the quarterback twice and forced a fumble against the 49ers.
Roster prediction: Gadsden should be safe on the 53-man roster considering the Chargers invested a fifth-round draft back in the former SU tight end and gives L.A. a big offensive target in the tight end room.
Wax has given Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh a lot to think about with a productive preseason.
Wax had a great summer, making a total of 19 tackles for L.A.
His stellar play just might force the Chargers to reserve him a spot on the roster.
LeQuint Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen, taken in the seventh-round of the 2025 draft by Jacksonville, dressed for the game against Miami on Saturday night but did not get on the field.
Allen had two rushes for 18 yards (including a 14-yard carry) and four catches for 34 yards in a 17-17 game against the New Orleans Saints last week.
He had a total of eight catches for 44 yards in the preseason.
Roster prediction: Allen seems to be safe on the 53-man for Jacksonville or at the very least on the practice squad. It will be interesting to see what role they assign him in a crowded RB room that includes Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten.
Allen’s pass-blocking and pass-catching abilities stood out this preseason.
Fadil Diggs, New Orleans Saints
Jaguars Saints Football
New Orleans Saints defensive end Fadil Diggs (40) defends during an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)AP
Diggs, a seventh-round pick by New Orleans in the 2025 Draft. made two tackles for the Saints against the Broncos in a 28-19 loss on Saturday.
Diggs finished with a total of five tackles with one sack in the preseason.
Roster prediction: Diggs’ spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster appears safe.
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns
Szmyt happens!
Szmyt kicked the game-winning field goal for Cleveland as time expired to give the Browns a 19-17 win over the L.A. Rams.
Roster prediction: Veteran Dustin Hopkins is expected to remain as the Browns No. 1 kicker even after missing nine kicks last season.
Even if Szmyt gets cut by Cleveland, he put some good kicks on film in the preseason as a solid tryout for other teams in need of a kicker.
Riley Dixon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dixon booted three punts for 137 yards, averaging 49 yards per kick, against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
Roster prediction: The 10-year NFL veteran is all but locked in on the Bucs’s 53-man roster as the lead punter.
Isaiah Johnson and Ifeatu Melifonwu, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins Lions Football
Miami Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (9) pursues a play on defense against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)AP
Johnson made three tackles for Miami in its preseason finale against Jacksonville.
He made a total of ten tackles for Miami in the preseason so far.
Roster prediction: Johnson’s status will be to watch. He appears to be right on the cut line for the Dolphins.
Melifonwu made two tackles on Saturday night against the Jags.
He has been injury prone in his NFL career, appearing in just three games last season due to an Achilles problem, but is still projected to be a starter in the secondary for Miami this season after signing as a free agent from Detroit in March.
Other performances by former Orange in Week 3 of NFL Preseason:
Bills Buccaneers Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker runs around Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)AP
-Running back Sean Tucker had just three yards on two carries for Tampa against Buffalo on Saturday night. He finished the 2025 preseason with 17 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Tucker looks set for his second year on the Buccaneers 53-man roster.
-Broncos wide receiver Courtney Jackson made one catch for 20 yards against the Saints. Jackson had three catches for 29 yards in the preseason for Denver. He’s likely to be cut by the Broncos.
-DE Kingsley Jonathan made one tackle for the Jets vs. the Eagles. He will likely be cut by the Jets.
Contact Brent Axe: Email|X|BlueSky
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