CFB writer states "Cam Ward is set up to be "the one" as overreaction
Chip Patterson of CBS Sports examined "ACC spring football overreactions: Miami has 'the one' in Cam Ward, Florida State defense will key title run." Adding Ward as a transfer from Washington State has improved the projections for the Miami football team entering the 2024 season.
The addition of Ward helped Miami add transfers, running back Damien Martinez from Oregon State and wide receiver Sam Brown from Houston over the weekend. Brown and Martinez provide Ward with two more offensive threats for Miami. Ward has one of the best WR corps to work with nationally.
Martinez was second in the Pac-12 averaging 98.75 rushing yards per game in 2023. Brown is the third WR on the Miami roster who had at least 800 yards in 2023. Miami returns Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George to match with Brown at WR. Restrepo set the single-season Miami reception record in 2023 with 85.
Ward had a great spring from most reports. After running the Air Raid offense for the last two seasons at Washington State, Ward did not have a big adjustment to learning the offense run by Miami coordinator Shannon Dawson. Patterson summarized what to expect from Ward in 2024.
“Mario Cristobal had big needs offensively. He addressed them. Cam Ward (is) the jewel of the transfer portal, no matter what side it was on.”
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 1, 2024
🗣️ @CoachReedLive says Miami @CanesFootball is the biggest winner of the 2024 transfer portal cycle pic.twitter.com/bz3J2N0Cc7
"Miami
- Chip Patterson, CBS Sports
Cam Ward is set up to be "the one"...arriving after two strong seasons at Washington State, can be the quarterback that leads Miami to an ACC title as he's stepping into an offense with a strong line up front and gifted playmakers at wide receiver. Ward's chances to be successful only increased with the recent addition of All-Pac-12 running back Damien Martinez from Oregon State, and with the motivation of turning down the NFL Draft, Ward can boost his stock with a big year in 2024. "
Miami returns three of its five 2023 starting offensive linemen. Center Zach Carpenter transferred from Indiana to provide Miami with four experienced OL. Miami has also built a strong front seven defensively. The Hurricanes will be particularly strong at edge rusher.
Next. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. dark
Ward provides Miami with a more dynamic and versatile offense. Ward is an able scrambler when a play breaks down. This will be a pivotal season for Mario Cristobal after leading Miami to a 12-13 record in his first two years. The expectation is for Miami to contend for an ACC title with the talent on the roster.