Cam Ward explains withdrawing from NFL Draft and choosing Miami football team
Appearing in front of the media at ACC Kickoff on Wednesday, quarterback Cam Ward stated why he withdrew from the NFL Draft and chose the Miami football program. Ward initially entered the NFL Draft in December after announcing his departure from Washington State.
After about a month, Ward withdrew from the NFL Draft and transferred to Miami. Ward was projected as a late second-round or early third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the NFL Mock Draft Database. With a strong season with Miami, Ward has an opportunity to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft first round.
Ward had a big decision to make after two seasons at Football Championship Subdivision program Incarnate Word in San Antonio and another two seasons at Washington State. After being left out of the realignment of former Pac-12 schools, Ward had to decide between the NFL Draft and another power conference program.
Ward is the 14th ranked transfer and fourth QB in the 2024 portal. Julian Sayin who was in the 2024 class and 2023 signees Aidan Chiles and Dante Moore have far less collegiate experience than Ward. Sayin, Chiles and Moore are more long-term prospects. Expect Ward to have the biggest impact of any 2024 transfer QB.
"A lot went into that decision...Every day my decision changed... If I had to do it all over again, I would...I accomplished a lot of things at the FCS level, I haven't accomplished things I know I'm capable of at the Power Five level. I feel like NFL isn't going anywhere."
- Miami quarterback Cam Ward
Ward let all 2024 returnees with 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023. Miami was 44th nationally in 2023 averaging 258.0 passing yards per game. Ward led an often explosive Washington State offense in 2023. Ward was ninth nationally with 144 completions of 10 yards or more and 11th with 52 of 20 yards or more in 2023.
Ward won the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman in FCS in spring 2021. The Rice Award was followed up by Ward earning the Southland Player of the Year in Fall 2021 at IW. After two outstanding seasons at IW, Ward transferred to Washington State.
Next. Where is Cam Ward in ACC post spring QB rankings. Where is Cam Ward in ACC post spring QB rankings. dark
Ward earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 in both seasons at Washington State. Many college football analysts project Ward to be the Preseason Player of the Year in 2024. If Ward earns All-ACC, Miami will be a contender to win the conference and put itself in a position to earn a College Football Playoff berth.