Photo: Kiran891, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons²

Oronde Gadsden

Tight End, Los Angeles Chargers · #86.

Player facts

Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Tight End
Number: 86
Born: Jun 25, 2003 (age 23)
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 236 lbs
College: Syracuse
Experience: 2 seasons
Status: Active

Stats

2026 Offense

	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	FD	CAR	YDS	AVG	LNG	FUM	LST
Regular Season	9	16	86	9.6	1	26	4	1	2	2.0	2	0	0
Last 5 Games	9	16	86	6.4	1	26	4	1	2	2.0	2	0	0
Career	58	85	750	12.9	4	53	32	1	2	2.0	2	1	1

Advanced stats

2026 season through week 6. EPA per play is the points a play added to the team’s expected score; success rate is the share of plays that kept the offense on schedule; CPOE is completion percentage over what the throws’ difficulty predicted. Rank is by EPA per play.

	Plays	EPA/play	Success	CPOE	League rank
Receiving	21 targets	-0.52	24%		fewer than 24 plays

NFL data: nflverse, CC BY 4.0.

Recent games

			Receiving							Rushing					Fumbles
Date	Opponent	Result	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	FD	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	FUM	LST
Sun, Oct 11	vs DEN	L 23-17	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Sun, Oct 4	@ SEA	L 30-23	5	8	36	7.2	0	9	2	1	2	2.0	0	2	0	0
Sun, Sep 27	@ BUF	L 24-16	0	3	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Sun, Sep 20	vs LV	L 26-14	2	2	18	9.0	1	10	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Sun, Sep 13	vs ARI	L 26-14	2	2	32	16.0	0	26	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0

Last 5 games. Click a game for its box score.

About

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.

From Wikipedia’s article on Oronde Gadsden II, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.¹

Background

Early life

Gadsden was born on June 25, 2003, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Oronde and Bianke Gadsden. He attended American Heritage in Plantation, Florida, and played varsity football for head coach Patrick Surtain. As a wide receiver Gadsden recorded 37 receptions for 608 yards and 13 touchdowns. He helped American Heritage win two state championships and he 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. 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.

Gadsden entered 2022 as both a wide receiver and a tight end. 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. The move paid off for Gadsden, who was named First Team All-ACC after recording 61 receptions for 969 yards and six touchdowns. The reception total is the single season total record for a Syracuse sophomore. 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. At season's end, Gadsden was given the Bill Maxwell Award as the most improved player in the Syracuse offense.

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".

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 for a tight end.

Personal life

His father, Oronde Gadsden, played six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Miami Dolphins. He is one of two children, the other being his sister.

From Wikipedia’s article on Oronde Gadsden II, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article.¹