Kyle McCord Should Fix One Thing

August 21, 2026 - 20:23

Kyle McCord is coming off a season where he threw for over 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. That kind of production usually puts a quarterback in the Heisman conversation and makes him a lock for the first round. But for McCord, the numbers tell only part of the story. The other part is the reason he is not getting the hype he probably deserves.

The issue is not arm strength. It is not accuracy on deep balls or his ability to read a defense. It is the turnovers. McCord threw 12 interceptions last year, and a handful of those came at the worst possible moments. In close games, he pressed. He tried to force throws into windows that were not there. That habit cost his team at least one game, maybe two.

So what should he fix? Decision-making under pressure. That is the one thing. When the pocket collapses, McCord tends to hold the ball a beat too long. Then he tries to make a play that is not available. The result is a tipped pass or a pick. He does not need to change his throwing motion or his footwork. He just needs to learn when to eat the ball and live for the next down.

And maybe half a thing: he should stop taking unnecessary hits. McCord took some brutal sacks last year because he tried to extend plays instead of throwing it away. That is not just about turnovers. It is about staying healthy for a full season. If he cleans up those two habits, the stats will stay big, but the wins will follow. That is what scouts want to see.