During the ACC Kickoff on Wednesday, quarterback Cam Ward explained his decision to withdraw from the NFL Draft and join the Miami football program. Ward had initially entered the NFL Draft in December after announcing his departure from Washington State.
About a month later, Ward withdrew from the draft and transferred to Miami. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, he was projected as a late second-round or early third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With a strong season at Miami, Ward has a chance to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ward faced a significant decision after spending two seasons at the Football Championship Subdivision program Incarnate Word in San Antonio and another two seasons at Washington State. Following the exclusion of Washington State from the realignment of former Pac-12 schools, Ward had to choose between the NFL Draft and joining another power conference program.
Ward is ranked as the 14th transfer and the fourth QB in the 2024 portal. Julian Sayin from the 2024 class and 2023 signees Aidan Chiles and Dante Moore have much less collegiate experience than Ward. Sayin, Chiles, and Moore are considered more long-term prospects. Ward is expected to have the most significant impact of any 2024 transfer QB.
“A lot went into that decision… Every day my decision changed… If I had to do it all over again, I would… I accomplished a lot of things at the FCS level, but I haven’t accomplished the things I know I’m capable of at the Power Five level. I feel like the NFL isn’t going anywhere,” said Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward led all 2024 returnees with 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023. Miami ranked 44th nationally in 2023, averaging 258.0 passing yards per game. Ward was the driving force behind Washington State’s often explosive offense in 2023, ranking ninth nationally with 144 completions of 10 yards or more and 11th with 52 completions of 20 yards or more.
Ward won the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman in FCS in spring 2021. He followed up by earning Southland Player of the Year in Fall 2021 at Incarnate Word. After two stellar seasons at Incarnate Word, Ward transferred to Washington State.
Ward earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors in both seasons at Washington State. Many college football analysts predict Ward to be the Preseason Player of the Year in 2024. If Ward earns All-ACC honors, Miami will be a contender to win the conference and potentially secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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