| Current team | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|
| Number | 86 |
| Position | Tight end |
| Birth date | June 25, 2003 (age 23) |
| Birth place | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 5 |
| Weight lb | 243 |
| High school | American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) |
| College | Syracuse (2021–2024) |
| Draftyear | 2025 |
| Draftround | 5 |
| Draftpick | 165 |
| Pastteams |
|
| Status | Active |
| Statseason | 2025 |
| Statlabel 1 | Receptions |
| Statvalue 1 | 49 |
| Statlabel 2 | Receiving yards |
| Statvalue 2 | 664 |
| Statlabel 3 | Receiving touchdowns |
| Statvalue 3 | 3 |
| Pfr | GadsOr01 |
Oronde Benjamin Gadsden II (born June 25, 2003) is an American professional football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the Chargers in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life
Gadsden was born on June 25, 2003, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Oronde and Bianke Gadsden.[1] He attended American Heritage in Plantation, Florida, and played varsity football for head coach Patrick Surtain.[2][3] As a wide receiver Gadsden recorded 37 receptions for 608 yards and 13 touchdowns. 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.
College career
Gadsden committed to Syracuse University to play college football over offers from Penn State, Baylor, Kentucky, and others.[4][5] While at Syracuse, he majored in economics at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
As a true freshman with the Orange in 2021, Gadsden played in eight games, mostly on special teams, and had two receptions for 24 yards.[6][7]
Gadsden entered 2022 as both a wide receiver and a tight end.[8][9][10] 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.[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 a name, image and likeness (NIL) linked transfer deal because he wanted to stay and "make a name for [him]self at Syracuse".[12]
In 2023, 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 in 2024, 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.
College statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2021 | Syracuse | 8 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Syracuse | 13 | 61 | 969 | 15.9 | 6 |
| 2023 | Syracuse | 2 | 7 | 67 | 9.6 | 1 |
| 2024 | Syracuse | 13 | 73 | 934 | 12.8 | 7 |
| Career | 36 | 143 | 1,994 | 13.9 | 14 | |
Professional career
Gadsden was selected in the fifth round (165th overall) of the 2025 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.[13]
Gadsden made his NFL debut in Week 3, amassing 46 receiving yards on five catches.[14] He was named the NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 8 for another 5 reception day, with 77 yards and a touchdown.[15] He finished the 2025 season with 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns.[16]
NFL career statistics
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Y/R | Lng | TD | ||
| 2025 | LAC | 15 | 7 | 49 | 664 | 13.6 | 53 | 3 |
| Career | 15 | 7 | 49 | 664 | 13.6 | 53 | 3 | |
Personal life
His father, Oronde Gadsden, played six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Miami Dolphins.[17] He is one of two children, the other being his sister.
References
- ^ "Oronde Gadsden II". Syracuse Orange. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ Alandt, Anthony (August 31, 2023). "MADE FOR THIS: Syracuse's generational weapon took 2 years to burst onto the scene". The Daily Orange. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Connor (October 5, 2022). "Oronde Gadsden II's 2nd breakout season keyed by patience, adjustments". The Daily Orange. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ Carlson, Chris (September 14, 2020). "Syracuse football lands verbal commitment from Oronde Gadsden II, son of former Miami Dolphins receiver". syracuse.com. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Chadwick, Max (July 25, 2023). "Oronde Gadsden II has sights set on continuing NFL receiving legacy". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ St. Croix, Josh (September 8, 2022). "College football: Syracuse's Gadsden II adjusting to new role as a versatile tight end". NNY360. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Leiker, Emily (2022-09-18). "Babers: Anyone who didn't notice Gadsden's talent before breakout game is 'Stevie Wonder'". syracuse.com. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Leiker, Emily (September 1, 2022). "Oronde Gadsden goes where his team needs him. For SU football, that's tight end and all over the field". syracuse.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Losito, Alaina (September 2, 2022). "Oronde Gadsden Discusses Move to Tight End". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ McWilliam, Jesse (September 9, 2022). "Syracuse's Oronde Gadsden emerges as offensive threat". Spectrum News. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Football roster: Oronde Gadsden II". cuse.com. Syracuse University. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Leiker, Emily (July 26, 2023). "Gadsden says he turned down huge money to transfer: 'I wanna make a name for myself at Syracuse'". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ Navarro, Omar (April 26, 2025). "Chargers Trade Up With Eagles, Select Syracuse Tight End Oronde Gadsden II in Round 5". Chargers.com. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ Navarro, Omar (2025-09-25). "How Rookie Oronde Gadsden Impressed the Chargers in His NFL Debut". chargers.com. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ Navarro, Omar (2025-10-23). "Oronde Gadsden Voted Pepsi Rookie of the Week After Breakout Performance". chargers.com. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ "Oronde Gadsden II 2025 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ Tamurian, Niko (September 14, 2020). "Former NFL star's son picks Syracuse Football over Penn State, others". CNY Central. Retrieved October 3, 2022.