_05_(cropped).jpg) Gadsden with theSyracuse Orange in 2024 | |||||||||
| No. 86 – Los Angeles Chargers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Tight end | ||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (2003-06-25)June 25, 2003 (age 22) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 243 lb (110 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | American Heritage(Plantation, Florida) | ||||||||
| College | Syracuse (2021–2024) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 2025: 5th round, 165th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2025 | |||||||||
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Oronde Benjamin Gadsden II (born June 25, 2003) is an American professionalfootballtight end for theLos Angeles Chargers of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theSyracuse Orange and was selected by the Chargers in the fifth round of the2025 NFL draft.
Gadsden was born on June 25, 2003, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida toOronde and Bianke Gadsden.[1] He attendedAmerican Heritage inPlantation, Florida and played varsity football for head coachPatrick Surtain.[2][3] As awide receiver Gadsden recorded 37 receptions for 608 yards and 13touchdowns. He helped American Heritage win two state championships and was voted team captain in 2020. He was rated a three-star recruit wide receiver. He is a former lacrosse player and also ran track. His personal best time in the 110 Hurdles was 15.13 and in the 300 Hurdles 38.44.
Gadsden committed toSyracuse University to play college football over offers fromPenn State,Baylor,Kentucky, and others.[4][5] While at Syracuse, he majored ineconomics at theMaxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
As a true freshman at Syracuse in2021, Gadsden played in eight games, mostly on special teams, and had two receptions for 24 yards.[6][7]
Gadsden entered2022 as both a wide receiver and atight end.[8][9][10] InRobert 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.[3] The move paid off for Gadsden, who was named First Team All-ACC after recording 61 receptions for 969 yards and six touchdowns.[5] The reception total is the single season total record for a Syracuse sophomore.[11] 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.[11] At season's end, Gadsden was given the Bill Maxwell Award as the most improved player in the Syracuse offense.[11]
During the off-season, Gadsden declined aname, image and likeness (NIL) linked transfer deal because he wanted to stay and "make a name for [him]self at Syracuse".[12]
In2023, Gadsden only appeared in two games. He caught six passes for 97 yards and one touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury.
As a redshirt junior in2024, Gadsden started 13 games. He recorded 73 receptions for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed the ball once for 12 yards. His 73 receptions were a school record.
| Year | Team | Games | RECs | YDs | Avg | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SYR | 8 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2022 | SYR | 13 | 61 | 969 | 15.9 | 46 | 6 |
| 2023 | SYR | 2 | 7 | 67 | 9.6 | 17 | 1 |
| 2024 | SYR | 13 | 73 | 934 | 12.8 | 39 | 7 |
| Career | 36 | 143 | 1,994 | 13.9 | 46 | 14 | |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft4+5⁄8 in (1.95 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | 33+3⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 6 ft9+5⁄8 in (2.07 m) | 4.59 s | 1.72 s | 2.73 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) | 19 reps | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine/Pro Day[13][14] | ||||||||||||
Gadsden was selected in the fifth round (165th overall) of the2025 NFL draft by theLos Angeles Chargers.[15]
Gadsden made his NFL debut in Week 3, amassing 46 receiving yards on 5 catches. He was named theNFL Rookie of the Week in Week 8 for another 5 reception day, with 77 yards and a TD.
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yards | Y/R | Y/G | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers | 15 | 7 | 69 | 49 | 664 | 13.6 | 44.3 | 3 |
His father,Oronde Gadsden, played six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with theMiami Dolphins.[16] He is one of two children, the other being his sister.
Media related toOronde Gadsden II at Wikimedia Commons