ESPN asks What can Cam Ward do for the Miami football offense?

The addition of quarterback Cam Ward as a transfer is expected to upgrade the offense for the Miami football team in 2024. Ward is projected as an upgrade over the three-starting QB the Miami football utilized during the 2023 season. Andrea Adelson of ESPN asked. "What can Cam Ward do for the offense?"

The question posed by Adelson was part of the "The biggest spring questions for college football's top 25 teams" posted by ESPN. Miami is ranked 24th in the ESPN Way Too Early Top 25. Miami returns their top two leading receivers and rushers from 2023, plus three starters on the offensive line.

The foundation is set to be built around Ward in 2024. Ward building a connection with his OL and receivers will be critical this spring. Miami has to be ready to open the season at Florida on August 31. The Hurricanes do not have the luxury of easing into the 2024 season versus an FCS opponent.

Miami hosts Florida A&M and Ball State before concluding non-conference play at South Florida. The games versus the Rattlers and Cardinals should allow Ward time to become more familiar with his team. It might take a few games to answer Adelson's question. Miami needs Ward to perform at a high level in Gainesville.

"24. Miami Hurricanes
What can Cam Ward do for the offense?
It is as tantalizing a question as there is headed into the season, because the Hurricanes return talent across the board at the skill positions, from running back Mark Fletcher to receivers Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo. Ward has proven to be prolific in the passing game, with three straight seasons of 3,200 or more passing yards. That is one area where Miami simply had no consistency over the past two seasons with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. In fact, Miami has not had a 3,000-yard passer since Malik Rosier in 2017 -- the last time Miami won 10 games in a season. How quickly Ward gets up to speed will be a spring storyline to watch. -- Adelson"

- Andrea Adelson, ESPN

Fletcher had a promising freshman season with 514 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry with five touchdowns. Miami's leading rusher, Henry Parrish, also returns. Parrish ran for 625 yards on 6.25 YPC with six TDs. Mario Cristobal ideally wants a balanced offense between Ward and the running game.

Restrepo set the Miami single-season record with 85 receptions and became only the sixth Miami receiver over 1,000 yards with 1,092. George is an explosive receiver on the outside who complements Restrepo, who slices defenses in the middle of the field. Ward should make Miami more explosive in the passing game.

Ward should provide Miami with a more efficient quarterback who does not throw as many interceptions as the Hurricanes had last season. Expect Ward to bring far more consistency at QB in 2024. Ward had over 200 yards passing in 10 out of 12 games in 2023 and over 300 yards in seven games last season.

Ward grasping the Shannon Dawson offense and building chemistry with the remainder of the Miami offense will be closely watched throughout spring practice and during the 2024 season. How well Ward plays will be the most prominent way the 2024 Miami season is measured after the amount of wins the Hurricanes achieve.