After narrowly missing the playoffs this season, finding a suitable replacement for Cam Ward will be essential for Miami's success next year. Replacing Cam Ward's production in 2024 will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.
Ward finished the 2024 regular season with 4,123 passing yards, a 67.4% completion percentage, and 36 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. On top of that, Ward is a Heisman finalist and won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award this week. Whoever takes his place in 2025 will have size 16 shoes to fill.
Miami still has the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 28th, but after that, it's on to 2025. The Canes' goal next year is to make the playoffs, a benchmark they just missed in 2024. To do so, they will need to replace Ward's production adequately.
With the Transfer Portal now open, and National Signing Day kicking off this month, Miami learned two things about its pending 2025 QB room. First, Reese Poffenbarger will be spending his final season of eligibility elsewhere after officially entering the transfer portal. Second, they signed a promising QB, Luke Nickel, this week to help fill their room with high-end potential.
Nickel, Emory Williams and Judd Anderson are the three QBs on the 2025 Miami roster if the Hurricanes do not add a transfer. Now that we have a clearer picture, let's examine Anderson, Nickel and Williams with their potential to replace Ward.