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Syracuse wide receiver Jackson Meeks has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on Instagram Monday evening. In his only season with the Orange, Meeks totaled 1,021 receiving yards on 78 receptions with seven touchdowns.

“With all the experiences, all the lessons learned, and all the support of everyone who has been a part of my journey, I am excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft,” Meeks wrote.

Meeks transferred with Fran Brown to Syracuse from Georgia after three years of scattered playing time with the Bulldogs. He served largely on the special teams unit with Georgia, notching just 10 receptions and no touchdowns.

After coming to the Orange, Meeks broke out. The senior glued together SU’s receiving unit alongside Trebor Peña. His first big game came against Holy Cross, where the Phenix City, Alabama, native recorded 10 receptions for 161 yards. His touchdown versus the Crusaders also was the second of a streak of four straight games finding the endzone.

Against NC State, he had another huge performance, with 11 receptions for 116 yards. Down the stretch, Meeks became a key target for Kyle McCord as he climbed to the Atlantic Coast Conference single-season passing yards record. Meeks totaled four or more receptions in the last 10 contests and 100 or more receiving yards in four of the last five games.

In SU’s final game versus then-No. 8 Miami, Meeks scored twice, helping outscore the Hurricanes in a shootout for Syracuse’s first top-10 win since 2017. To cap his season with the Orange, Meeks caught five passes for 110 yards in the Holiday Bowl, eclipsing the 1,000-receiving-yard mark on the season. He’s the first Syracuse wide receiver to make the mark since Trishton Jackson in 2019.

“Betting on yourself is crucial, trusting your preparation and resilience will always pay off,” Meeks wrote. “Every setback is an opportunity in disguise and it is how you respond that defines your character.”

Meeks becomes the first SU player to declare for the NFL Draft this season.

Published on December 30, 2024 at 10:35 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky