After earning first-team All-ACC earlier this week and being named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, Cam Ward also was graded as the top quarterback among Power Four programs by Pro Football Focus. Ward was first nationally with 36 touchdown passes.
In leading Miami to its most wins since 2017, Ward also finished in the top five nationally in most passing categories. Ward had the best season by a Miami QB in program history, setting multiple program records that included passing touchdowns and yards and total yards.
Ward has been graded high by PFF throughout the 2024 season. The PFF 2025 NFL Draft Big Board ranks Ward 14th overall and the second QB behind Jalen Milroe of Alabama. Milroe was not close to as prolific as Ward in 2024. Ward is expected to be among the Heisman Trophy Finalists a week from Saturday in New York.
Ward finished completed 67.4 percent of his pass attempts for 4,123 yards, 9.5 yards per attempt, 36 touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a 171.07 passer rating with 4,319 total yards in 2024. The decision by Ward to transfer to Miami benefitted his draft status significantly and helped the Hurricanes to their best season since 2017.
Highest Graded Quarterbacks This Season🎯 pic.twitter.com/BSti7Bkv6Y
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 4, 2024
Ward was joined by Kyle McCord of Syracuse who had the fifth-highest-graded QB by PFF during the regular season and Tyler Shough of Lousville who is seventh among ACC passers. Ward is a finalist for the 2024 Davey O’Brien National QB Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Manning Award.
The O'Brien and Camp award winners will be announced on the ESPN The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12. The Manning Award will be announced after the College Football National Championship Game is Played on January 20 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.