Appearing in front of the media at the ACC Kickoff on Wednesday, quarterback Cam Ward shed light on his decision to withdraw from the NFL Draft and join the Miami football program. Initially, Ward declared for the NFL Draft in December after announcing his departure from Washington State. However, after about a month, he reversed his decision and transferred to Miami.
Ward’s Decision-Making Process:
Ward’s decision came after careful consideration of his career trajectory. Despite being projected as a late second-round or early third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the NFL Mock Draft Database, Ward saw the potential to elevate his draft stock. With a standout season at Miami, Ward aims to position himself as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ward had a significant choice to make after two seasons at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program Incarnate Word in San Antonio and two seasons at Washington State. The realignment of former Pac-12 schools left Ward contemplating between entering the NFL Draft and continuing his collegiate career at another power conference program.
Impact and Expectations:
Ranked as the 14th best transfer and the fourth-best quarterback in the 2024 portal, Ward stands out among his peers. Compared to other highly-touted prospects like Julian Sayin from the 2024 class and 2023 signees Aidan Chiles and Dante Moore, Ward brings much more collegiate experience. While Sayin, Chiles, and Moore are seen as long-term prospects, Ward is expected to have an immediate and significant impact.
Ward’s experience and proven track record make him a valuable addition to the Miami Hurricanes. His presence is anticipated to bolster the team’s performance and potentially lead them to new heights in the upcoming season.
Looking Forward:
As Cam Ward embarks on this new chapter with Miami, the expectations are high. His decision to withdraw from the NFL Draft and join the Hurricanes reflects his commitment to further developing his skills and maximizing his draft potential. Miami fans and the broader college football community will be keenly watching Ward’s performance, eager to see how his journey unfolds and how it influences his future in professional football.
Ward, who had 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023, allowed all of the 2024 returnees. Miami, with an average of 258.0 passing yards per game, ranked 44th in the country in 2023. In 2023, Ward oversaw a frequently explosive Washington State offense. When it came to completions of 10 yards or more in 2023, Ward ranked ninth nationally with 144 and eleventh with 52.
In spring 2021, Ward was named the FCS’s Most Outstanding Freshman and received the Jerry Rice Award. After winning the Rice Award, Ward went on to win the IW Southland Player of the Year award in the autumn of 2021. Ward transferred to Washington State following two stellar seasons at Iowa Western.During his two seasons at Washington State, Ward was named to the Pac 12 Honorable Mention team. Ward is predicted by numerous college football experts to win the Preseason Player of the Year award in 2024. Miami will be a contender to win the conference and position itself to get into the College Football Playoffs if Ward is named All-ACC.
