ESPN names Miami football most intriguing newcomer
In their examination of the "College football spring games: Key newcomers, position battles" ESPN named quarterback Cam Ward as the most intriguing newcomer for the Miami football team. There are six ACC spring games on Saturday and dozens nationally. Ward has been the main focus on Miami during spring practice.
The majority of the focus during the Miami spring game will be on Ward. How well Ward runs the offense and builds chemistry with his receivers will be closely watched. Ward has been praised throughout the spring by the coaching staff and his teammates as a leader.
The addition of Ward has elevated the entire Miami football program. Miami will be more versatile on offense with Ward at QB. In two seasons at Washington State, Ward completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 6,968 yards, 48 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with 202 rushing yards and another 13 scores.
Ward is the best dual-threat QB Miami has had since D'Eriq King in 2021. Expect Ward to improve his net rushing yards with Miami. The Hurricanes have a far better offensive line than Ward played behind at Washington State. Andrea Adelson summed the expectations for Ward in 2024.
"Most intriguing newcomer: QB Cam Ward -- This is an easy one. Ward's decision to come to Miami, after initially deciding to enter the NFL draft, is fascinating because it shifted the entire conversation around the Hurricanes. Before Ward...shifted gears, Miami signed Albany transfer Reese Poffenbarger to beef up the quarterback room. But now? Miami appears to have one of the strongest quarterbacks in the ACC headed into the season.
- Andrea Adelson ESPN
The spring game will be our first chance to see how Ward fits into this offense under coordinator Shannon Dawson, and how he jells with his receivers. Miami has two veterans returning in Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, and young talent that could be ready to emerge in Isaiah Horton, JoJo Trader, Ny Carr and Ray Ray Joseph. Miami has not had consistent quarterback play since Tyler Van Dyke was a freshman in 2021. If Ward is able to live up to the expectations, the Hurricanes will have a shot to be in the hunt for the ACC title. "
The addition of Poffenbarger now adds depth to the QB room for Miami, instead of him competing with Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams for first-team snaps. Ward has made Miami one of the most talked about teams during the 2024 offseason. Ward will play with more talent on Miami than with Washington State.
Next. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. dark
George and Restrepo had breakout 2023 seasons. Horton and Trader have competed this spring to be the third starting WR. Carr and Joseph are emerging to be in the rotation for Miami this season. Miami is the third favorite to win the ACC at plus 450. Clemson and Florida State are the co-favorites to win the ACC at plus 280.