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How much ESPN Gameday analysts trust Cam Ward versus other elite QBs

ESPN College Gameday discussed how much they trust Cam Ward versus other elite quarterbacks.

By Alan Rubenstein

Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures after defeating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures after defeating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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ESPN Gameday analysts discussed how much they trust Cam Ward versus other elite quarterbacks on Saturday morning. Ward is first nationally averaging 362.6 passing yards per game and with 24 touchdown passes, second with a 188.71 passer rating and third averaging 10.3 yards per attempt.

None of the other signal callers discussed rank ahead of Ward in the stat categories listed above. Dillon Gabriel of Oregon who is first in completion percentage, Will Howard of Ohio State third and Drew Allar of Penn State seventh are the only QBs discussed ranked ahead of Ward in a major category.

Ward is currently the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at plus 180 per Fan Duel. Gabriel is second at plus 300. None of the other QBs listed by ESPN are in the top four. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is third at plus 300. There is a major dropoff after Jeanty to Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter at plus 1100.

All four ESPN College Gameday analysts discussed Ward. There were varying opinions about Ward. Pat McAfee and Nick Saban praised Ward. Desmond Howard was somewhat skeptical because of the propensity Ward has for turnovers. ESPN ranked their trust in QBs nationally at the 3:09 mark of the video below.

"Gabriel, Ward and (Penn State QB Drew) Allar (are the) most consistent distributing ball (I) trust to make good decisions."

- Nick Saban

"Ward fifth year, 2,121 pass attempts, that's a lot of football. He's playing lights out. Feels like the football gods are working alongside of him. For me, Cam Ward has shown up in the biggest way. "

- Pat McAfee

"Cam has a huge upside. I love Cam Ward. I love what he brings to the offense. But he's going to put the ball in harm's way too many times for me. "

- Desmond Howard, ESPN

The stats prove Ward has been the best QB nationally in 2024. Only two percent of Ward's pass attempts have been intercepted and he has only one lost fumble. Ward led the nation in 2023 with eight lost fumbles. Ward's 24 to five TD to interception ratio is the best among QBs in the top 10 nationally in TD passes.

Howard's observation Ward puts the ball in harm's way too often is not as accurate this season. The numbers in multiple categories show Ward has been the best QB nationally through the first eight weeks of 2024 and should be the easiest signal caller to trust. No player has been more valuable to his team than Ward.

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