Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo named again among top 2024 QB-WR duo

Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo were included with "Georgia, Texas, Ohio State among teams likely to boast best QB-WR duos in 2024 college football season" by Chip Patterson of CBS Sports. Ward led all returning quarterbacks nationally in 2023 averaging 311.1 passing yards per game in 2023. Restrepo is the leading returning receiver in the ACC.

Ward should form an elite trio with Jacolby George and Restrepo. George and Restrepo each had breakout 2023 seasons. George had 57 receptions, finished third in the ACC with 864 receiving yards and tied for fourth in the conference with eight touchdown receptions. With Ward at QB, George and Restrepo can elevate their numbers in 2024.

Ward is projected to provide Miami with more mobility and versatility at QB. Ward's ability to scramble when a play breaks down should benefit George and Restrepo. George and Restrepo complement each other well. George had several big plays downfield in 2023. The most memorable was a game clinching TD versus Texas A&M.

Restrepo is adept at getting open in the middle of the field. Restrepo could become the first Miami WR to eclipse 100 receptions in a season in 2024. Ward has a chance to set the Miami single-season record of 3,642 passing yards set by Bernie Kosar in 1984. Ward threw for 3,736 yards in 2023.

"Miami (Fla.)
Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo: Ward spurning the NFL Draft and landing with Miami has dramatically changed the outlook for the ACC title race. Mario Cristobal is heading into Year 3 with expectations of significant progress, and though his recruiting efforts have built up the lines of scrimmage to levels that rank among the best in the conference, the Hurricanes were lacking in game-changing talent at quarterback. Enter Ward, who transfers in after totaling 61 touchdowns (48 passing, 13 rushing) in two seasons with Washington State, which followed his electric debut at the FCS level with Incarnate Word where he was the player of the year in the Southland Conference. Picking Restrepo as his partner the QB-WR duo was fairly simple; the fourth-year junior is coming off one of the best seasons by a wide receiver in Miami history. Restrepo set a single-season program record with 85 receptions and recorded only the sixth 1,000-yard receiving season in Miami history (1,092). But, aside from his All-ACC bonafides, Restrepo often does his damage as a high-volume inside receiver. Last season, Ward was often connecting with slot receiver Lincoln Victor at Washington State, doing so 89 times while no other Cougars pass catcher had more than 61 receptions."

- Chip Patterson, CBS Sports

Restrepo earned first-team All-ACC in 2023 and George was named to the third-team. Restrepo should repeat first-team All-ACC in 2024. It would be difficult for George to earn first-team All-ACC playing next to Restrepo. George should be able to produce bigger numbers in 2024 and potentially earn second-team All-ACC.

Ward is arguably the best QB in the ACC entering the 2024 season. Expect Ward to be a contender for ACC Player of the Year. Ward earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 in 2022 and 2023 in a conference loaded with elite QBs. Caleb Williams of USC won the 2022 Heisman Trophy and Michael Penix of Washington was the 2023 runner-up.