ESPN names Cam Ward top 2 2024 midseason player

Miami quarterback Cam Ward has had a sensational start to the 2024 season and was named on Wednesday by ESPN as one of their "CFB Player Rank: The top 25 players at midseason." Ward is the second-ranked player on the ESPN midseason top 25. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is first.

Miami is off to a 6-0 start led by Ward who has captained the best offense nationally. The Hurricanes are first nationally averaging 47.7 points per game, in total offense averaging 583.8 yards per game, in passing offense averaging 400.0 yards per game and in multiple categories of explosive plays.

Miami has scored at least 38 points and gained over 500 yards in every game this season. Ward has completely transformed the Miami offense. Ward is first nationally averaging 369.8 passing yards per game and with 21 touchdown passes. Ward set the ACC record with five consecutive games with 300 yards and three TDs.

The TD streak came to an end in the Miami comeback win over California on October 5, but Ward has thrown for over 300 yards in every game this season and has thrown for over 400 yards in two of the last four games. Ward was named the ACC QB of the Week four times in Miami's first six games.

"2. Cam Ward
QB, Miami, Senior
Notable 2024 stats: 2,219 yards, 20 TD, 91.8 QBR
Preseason ranking: 56

(Ward) leads all Power 4 QBs in passing touchdowns (20)...completions of 20 yards or more (41) and is second in Total QBR (91.8) and yards per dropback (9.84)...Ward's confidence has been infectious at Miami, which opened the season with four dominant wins, then wrapped the first half of the year with back-to-back come-from-behind wins, including overcoming a 20-point deficit at Cal in which Ward accounted for 277 yards and three touchdowns -- in the fourth quarter alone...Through six games...he has willed Miami out of a 20-year slumber and back into college football's elite. "

David Hale, ESPN

Miami has been dominant in the second half. The Hurricanes are first nationally averaging 25.2 points per game in the second half. Ward is averaging 161.5 passing yards per game in the second half. That number would be bigger, but Ward sat out significant portions of the second half in Miami wins versus Ball State and Florida A&M.

Ward threw for 328 and two touchdowns with one rushing score in the second half at California and 139 with two more passing TDs and another end zone trip in the final 30 minutes versus Virginia Tech. Ward has been dominant and dynamic in the second half to rally Miami from double-digit deficits in the last two games.

Jeanty has been spectacular in his own right to eclipse Ward in being named the top player nationally at midseason. The Boise State star has emerged almost out of nowhere nationally. Jeanty has 126 carries for 1,248 yards, 9.9 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns this season.

Barry Sanders set the single-season rushing record for Oklahoma State in 1988 with 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns. Jeanty has a good chance at the single season rushing record and an outside shot to break the TD record for one year. Jeanty, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel, Colorado star Travis Hunter and Ward are the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.

FanDuel lists Jeanty as the favorite at plus 230, Gabriel is plus 260, Hunter is plus 600 and Ward plus 650. There is an enormous dropoff after Ward to Alabama QB Jalen Milroe who is fifth in the Heisman Trophy odds at plus 1.400. Ward will have limited chances to prove himself in the regular season to win the Heisman Trophy.

The next two games are critical at Louisville on Saturday and versus Florida State next week, Despite Florida State's 1-5 record, it is always a marquee game and will be on ESPN in primetime. Miami likely has to get to the ACC Championship game for Ward to make a push to win the Heisman Trophy.