Cam Ward is a Heisman Trophy finalist as announced on Monday. Ward is the first Heisman Trophy finalist from Miami since quarterback Ken Dorsey and running back Willis McGahee in 2002. Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty are the other finalists.
Ward set multiple Miami single-season records including 4,123 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes, 41 TDs responsible for and 4,326 total yards in 2024. Miami has won 10 games for the first time since 2017 and has a chance for 11 wins for the first time since 2002. Ward elevated Miami in 2024.
Ward earned first-team All-ACC in 2024, was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the Player of the Year. Led by Ward Miami was first nationally averaging 44.2 points per game, 538.3 yards per game, 7.6 yards per play, 327 first downs and converting 56.5 percent of its third down conversions.
Ward is also a Davey O’Brien National QB Award, Manning Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The O"Brien Award will be announced during the College Football Award show airing on Thursday at 9 PM on ESPN. Ward is attempting to become the third Miami Heisman Trophy winner.
Zero stars aren't supposed to be Heisman Finalists.
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) December 9, 2024
This *1 is.#HE1SMAN | @Cameron7Ward pic.twitter.com/Yr9Wtych9D
Vinny Testaverde was the first Miami Heisman Trophy winner in 1986 and Gino Torretta won the award in 1992. Torretta led Miami to the 1991 National Championship. Hunter is the prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at minus 4000 per FanDuel. Jeanty is plus 1,100, Gabriel plus 40,000 and Ward plus 50,000.
The losses by Miami at Georgia Tech and Syracuse last month have severely hindered Ward's odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Pro Football Focus stated that Ward deserves the O'Brien Award using their advanced metrics. Ward was also named first-team All-American by PFF.