ESPN CFB Analyst asks Did Miami Football get QB to take them to top of ACC?
The addition of Washington State quarterback Cam Ward has elevated the expectations of the Miami football team in 2024. Ward is the top-rated 2024 transfer QB by On3 and third by 247Sports. Ward brings instant credibility to Miami at QB after inconsistent play from their signal callers during the 2023 season.
McElroy explained the process Ward took in the transfer portal. After initially declaring for the NFL Draft, Ward left the option open of returning to college by not signing with an agent. After the projection was Ward would be a second (round 2-3) or third-day (rounds 4-7) selection, he decided to return to college.
McElroy stated Ward was trending to be a third-day pick more likely than a second-day draftee. In his scouting report on Ward, McElroy was impressed by his unique skill set. Ward was fourth nationally, averaging 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023. Tyler Van Dyke was 36th averaging 247.1 passing YPG in 2023.
Ward will play with a far better offensive line in front of him and running backs behind him in 2024. Washington State was 113th, allowing 3.17 sacks per game in 2023. The Cougars finished 130th nationally, averaging 84.83 rushing yards per game in 2023. Ward will be in a better position to succeed at Miami.
"A really unique skill set, but a lot of what he does is improvisational where he runs around, creates, can, can kind of extend plays keeps his eyes downfield and dumps it off. He's very difficult to defend, but he's also a guy whose skill set at the moment isn't going to translate seamlessly to the professional ranks. But as far as college is concerned the guy is legit."
- Greg McElroy ESPN CFB Analyst
McElroy stated that Miami offensive coordinator Shannon "Dawson who has a tendency to mold his offense to what his quarterback is most comfortable doing." Ward will provide Dawson with more versatility than Tyler Van Dyke, Emory Williams and Jacurri Brown did in 2023. Ward is a mobile, pass-first QB.
dark. Next. National CFB experts state Cam Ward Prize of Transfer Portal QBs. National CFB experts state Cam Ward Prize of Transfer Portal QBs
McElroy said he thinks Miami could take a significant leap in 2024. At 6'2 and 223 pounds, Ward provides good size in the pocket. Expect Mario Cristobal, Dawson and wide receivers coach Kevin Beard to pursue more wideouts for Ward to throw to during the spring transfer portal window from April 16-30.