Oronde Gadsden says he turned down huge money to transfer: ‘I wanna make a name for myself at Syracuse’

Charlotte, N.C. — One of Syracuse football’s biggest stars said he turned down huge sums of money to transfer out of the program this offseason.
Oronde Gadsden II, a 2023 preseason All-American, told syracuse.com at ACC Kickoff on Tuesday that other programs were “promising six figures and up” in payments if he transferred.
He declined to say which programs attempted to strike a deal with him, though the inducements show what SU is up against as it tries to retain its best players year to year.
Gadsden said it was the “love” he’s received at the school, both from fans and his coaches, that made him want to stick around.
“I wanna make a name for myself at Syracuse,” Gadsden said.
Gadsden also said transferring would introduce risk at a time his career is on stable ground.
He’s Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader’s favorite target. He’s one of the top returning receivers in the conference. And, with potentially one season left playing college ball, Gadsden is an NFL-bound receiver whenever he decides to declare for the draft.
While the money might be good somewhere else, it doesn’t guarantee playing opportunities or that he’ll fit in with new personnel or another program’s culture.
“I can stay here, do what I like, get a good season with Garrett (Shrader) and then make millions of dollars,” Gadsden said, alluding to a move to the NFL following the 2023 season.
This isn’t the first time a high-profile Syracuse player had other programs try to lure him away in the offseason. In fact, it was at this same event last year when Mikel Jones spoke about his own experience and choosing to stay at SU for his final season.
Other programs have dealt with schools trying to poach top players.
Last year, Boston College’s Zay Flowers was offered more than $500,000 to leave the Eagles. He stayed and is now playing for the Baltimore Ravens after being picked No. 22 overall in the NFL draft.
Programs trying to poach talent from other teams is not necessarily a new phenomenon, though changes in recent years to the transfer portal and how players can make money has seemingly increased it and made it more visible.
In a conversation with syracuse.com last week, Gadsden’s father said the offers “happened a lot” and that he tried to play mediator to keep them from distracting his son.
Gadsden’s father, a former wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, said the calls often came from people he knows personally who are involved at other schools.
The loyalty to Syracuse didn’t waver.
“He wasn’t having it,” Gadsden’s father said. “His allegiance to Dino (Babers) and coach (Jason) Beck are very heavy. If I wanted him to (transfer), I don’t think he would.”
At SU, Gadsden has several name, image and likeness deals, though it’s unclear how much those are worth.
He is also getting paid by Athletes Who Care, one of Syracuse’s NIL collectives, and has done a handful of one-off deals organized by his agent, including a campaign with CeraVe and an appearance at a local Syracuse Boys and Girls Club.