The 2024 Miami Hurricanes logged 10 wins for the first time since the 2017 season. Their QB, Cam Ward, was a Heisman finalist and when the 2025 NFL Draft rolled around he become the No. 1 overall pick and face of the Tennessee Titans franchise. Six Miami players ended up being drafted and multiple others ended up signing with teams as UDFA's.
While the 2024 season seems like a stepping stone for the program and head coach Mario Cristobal, some college football analysts do not believe it was the breakthrough season it should have been. Or at least there should have been more success with a talented player like Ward on the roster.
Josh Pate of Josh Pate's College Football Show answered a question from a fan who was wondering if Pate was too harsh on the Hurricanes. The question was, "I know you've been tough on Miami for blowing it down the stretch of last season, but don't you think it's too harsh to call 10 wins a wasted season[?]".
Pate then goes on to clarify that they didn't necessarily waste the 2024 season, they just missed the opportunity to do something bigger and better with Cam Ward. His argument is that Miami wasted Cam Ward.
"My stance on this is, Cam Ward's dont come around very often, " Pate said. "That is a generational talent, No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and when you get him dropped in your lap, you oughta do more than just win 10 games."
Pate also mentions that Miami should have been playing in the conference championship game or the college football playoff. In the clip he also adds a preview with his interview with Cristobal. Cristobal acknowledges that Miami lost their way on defense and that the offense last season was generational.