Tre’ Harris watched as Oronde Gadsden II burst by him, the 6-foot-5 tight finish chugging over the turf at Golden West Faculty’s soccer area.
Months earlier than Harris and Gadsden suited up as Chargers rookies, the duo have been catching passes from Jaxson Dart — now the beginning quarterback for the New York Giants — throughout pre-NFL Scouting Mix coaching classes on the Huntington Seashore neighborhood faculty because the trio took benefit of sunny climate in Southern California.
“I saw his talents immediately,” Dart mentioned of Gadsden. “Skill set-wise, I thought he was a very unique athlete, being, you know, the stature that he is. I thought his footwork was some of the best that I’ve seen.”
Over the previous two weeks, the footwork that Harris mentioned separates Gadsden from the remainder of the NFL, has been on show.
Gadsden, 22, ranks fifth in NFL tight finish receiving yards this season (385) regardless of not taking part in within the first two video games. Two weeks in the past, towards the Colts, the son of former NFL large receiver Oronde Gadsden emerged for 164 receiving yards and a landing. Towards the Vikings final week, the previous Syracuse standout, who set this system document for receptions in a season with 73 catches, recorded one other 77 receiving yards and a landing.
These accomplishments — which he credit to finding out the likes of Chargers teammates Keenan Allen and Will Dissly — earned Gadsden earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors in Week 7, the primary Charger to assert the award since Asante Samuel Jr. did it twice in 2021.
“It’s been good, getting in passes with Justin [Herbert], whether it’s a practice, and then following up in the game,” Gadsden mentioned. “It feels good to see all the hard work that I’ve been doing, all the hard work that the whole team has been doing, come forward and translate into the game.”
Chargers tight finish Oronde Gadsden II (86) celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 23.
(Gregory Bull / Related Press)
Jim Harbaugh can’t assist however smile when speaking about Gadsden. Requested concerning the Chargers’ rookies — and the efforts they’ve put in to maintain the staff afloat amid a rash of accidents — the often stoic Chargers coach remarked about how large his grin was earlier than slamming his arms down onto the rostrum in entrance of him.
“I mean, Oronde Gadsden,” he mentioned, “of course, has been great.”
Herbert added: “It was only a matter of time until he put together two games like he has back-to-back, and he’s gonna make a ton of plays for us. He’s gonna have a super long career.”
Gadsden had his first alternative to chill out in the course of the mini bye week within the 10-day hole between the Chargers’ win over the Vikings and their recreation towards the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He mentioned it’s been continuous soccer for him for the reason that starting of his senior 12 months at Syracuse; from the faculty season to pre-draft coaching, rookie mini camp, and now the NFL season.
Chargers tight finish Oronde Gadsden II tries to struggle off Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks throughout a Chargers’ win on Oct.12.
(Rebecca Blackwell / Related Press)
For the primary time since these coaching classes at Golden West, Gadsden determined to go to Disneyland. It was a uncommon break for Gadsden since his day by day pre-draft days working alongside coach T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the previous Professional Bowl large receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
What makes Gadsden a particular participant, Harris mentioned, is his never-stop perspective. Throughout minicamp, Gadsden would arrive on the facility at 5 a.m. — utilizing his East Coast-wired clock to his benefit to get additional work in.
“I’m not gonna say I knew he was gonna do this,” Harris mentioned of Gadsden’s latest success, earlier than pausing. “There’s not a lot of tight ends that can move like he does. And, you know, I’ve seen it firsthand.”
