Cam Ward gets surprising QB ranking from Pro Football Focus
Cam Ward is a surprising 14th in the "College Football: Ranking all 70 Power Five starting quarterbacks for 2024" from Pro Football Focus posted on Wednesday. Ward has been routinely praised throughout the preseason. The ranking of 14th seems too low.
Right behind Ward is the QB he will replace at Miami, Tyler Van Dyke who is now at Wisconsin and is 15th in the PFF rankings. Preston Stone of SMU who is ninth is the only QB in the ACC ranked ahead of Ward. Ward led all 2024 returnees averaging 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023.
The expectations are high for Miami in 2024 led by Ward. Ward has been named to several preseason award watch lists and is the 2024 ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Expect Ward to elevate the Miami passing offense that finished 43rd in 2023 averaging 258.0 yards per game in the air.
Ward will have an exceptional group of receivers to throw to in 2024. Miami has three receivers on its 2024 roster who had over 800 yards receiving in 2023. Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez will help keep the Miami offense balanced. Dalton Wasserman summarized Ward for Pro Football Focus.
Is new Miami QB Cam Ward the most likely QB to make a Jayden Daniels-like run to the Heisman and the top of the draft?
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) July 5, 2024
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"14. Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
- Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
Ward has climbed the college football ladder...before arriving at Miami this season. He should be primed for a breakout with a supporting cast that includes a top-10 receiver in Xavier Restrepo. Ward is at his best when he makes quick decisions. His 90.3 PFF passing grade on throws released in under 2.5 seconds in 2023 was the second-best mark in the FBS last season, behind Bo Nix."
Restrepo set the Miami single-season record with 85 receptions in 2023 and became the sixth Hurricane with over 1,000 yards in one year, finishing with 1,092. Jacolby George had a breakout season with 57 receptions for 864 yards and led Miami with eight TD receptions in 2023.
Sam Brown had 62 receptions for 815 yards and three TDs for Houston in 2023 before transferring to Miami this spring. Redshirt sophomore WR Isaiah Horton gives Ward a big target at 6'4 and true freshman JoJo Trader is likely the most talented WR on the Miami roster. Miami could have a prolific passing offense.
Cam Ward piling preseason honors with Walter Camp POY watch list. dark. Next. Cam Ward piling preseason honors with Walter Camp POY watch list
The ability for Ward to make quick decisions should benefit Restrepo in the slot. Martinez and Restrepo should open up the deep passing game for Miami. If Ward lives up to his preseason projections, other than PFF, he could compete to be a Heisman Trophy finalist in December.