Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II living up to the hype

Tre' Harris looked like Oronda Gadsden II burst past him, the 6-foot-5 tight end chugging across the turf of the Golden West College football field.

Months earlier, Harris and Gadsden dressed up Chargers newcomers, the duo caught passes from Jackson Dart — now the starting cornerback for the New York Giants — during pre-NFL workouts at Huntington Beach Community College as the trio took advantage of the sunny Southern California weather.

“I saw his talents right away,” Dart said of Gadsden. “In terms of skill set, I thought he was a very unique athlete given his size. I thought his footwork was some of the best I've ever seen.”

The last two weeks have showcased the footwork that Harris said separates Gadsden from the rest of the NFL.

Gadsden, 22, has the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL this season (385) despite not playing in the first two games. Two weeks ago, against the Colts, the son of a former NFL wide receiver. Oronda Gadsden went for 164 receiving yards and a touchdown. Against the Vikings last week, the former Syracuse standout, who set the program record for most receptions in a season with 73 catches, recorded another 77 receiving yards and a touchdown.

These are accomplishments he attributes to studying his Chargers teammates. Keenan Allen And Will Dissly Gadsden earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors in Week 7, becoming the first Charger to win the award since Asante Samuel Jr. did it twice in 2021.

“It was great to go through the programs with Justin [Herbert]whether it's practice and then continuing to play,” Gadsden said. “It feels good to see all the hard work that I've put in, all the hard work that the whole team has put in, come out ahead and translate it into the game.”

Jim Harbaugh I can't help but smile when I talk about Gadsden. Asked about the Chargers' rookies — and the efforts they've made to keep the team afloat amid a bevy of injuries — the usually stoic Chargers coach noted how wide his smile was before lowering his hands to the podium in front of him.

“I mean, Oronda Gadsden,” he said, “of course she was great.”

Herbert added: “It was only a matter of time before he got two games in a row and he's going to make a ton of plays for us. He's going to have a very long career.”

Gadsden got his first chance to unwind during a mini-week of goodbyes in the 10-day break between Chargers win over Vikings and their game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He said it's been non-stop football for him since the start of his senior year at Syracuse; from the college season to pre-draft training, rookie minicamp, and now the NFL season.

Chargers tight end Auronde Gadsden II attempts to tackle Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks during a win over the Chargers on Oct. 12.

(Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press)

For the first time since those training sessions at Golden West, Gadsden decided to visit Disneyland. It was a rare break for Gadsden since working with his coach every day leading up to the draft. TJ Houshmandzadehformer Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.

What makes Gadsden a special player, Harris said, is his never-ending attitude. During minicamp, Gadsden would arrive on site at 5 a.m., using his east coast clock to get extra work.

“I won’t say I knew he would do it,” Harris said of Gadsden’s recent success before pausing. “Not many difficult people can move like he does. And, you know, I've seen it firsthand.”