Miami football most important transfer addition and loss per national writer
The addition of quarterback Cameron Ward as a transfer from Washington State has changed the projections for the 2024 Miami football team. Ward will be without Miami's third-leading 2023 receiver, Colbie Young, who transferred to Georgia. Alec Nedverveld of Mike Ferrell Sports wrote about "The Most Important Addition and Loss From the Transfer Portal for Every ACC Team."
Ward will play behind one of the best offensive lines in the country in 2024. Miami returns starting right guard Anez Cooper and offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers. Indiana transfer center Zach Carpenter replaces Matt Lee as the starter for Miami in 2024. Left guard is open for competition beginning in spring practice.
With Young transferring to Georgia, junior Isaiah Horton has a huge opportunity. Horton is the early leader to replace Young as the third starting WR. Young was the tallest WR on the 2023 Miami roster at 6'5. Horton will be the tallest WR on the 2024 Miami roster at 6'4. Horton could be a go-to receiver for Ward on third down and in the red zone.
Ward is expected to upgrade an inconsistent Miami passing offense over the last two seasons. Ward averaged 311.1 passing yards per game in 2023, which leads all returnees in 2024. The 247Sports transfer portal rankings list Ward fourth. Ward is the most experienced of those four transfer QBs.
"Miami
- Alec Nederveld, Mike Ferrell Sports
Cameron Ward (In), Colbie Young (Out)
After throwing for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns with eight more scores on the ground, Cameron Ward is headed to Coral Gables. Ward has four years of starting experience, two years at Washington State and two more at FCS Incarnate Word. Ward considered the NFL Draft before choosing the Hurricanes.
A very talented but overshadowed receiver, Colbie Young caught 47 passes for 563 yards and five touchdowns. Young was behind Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, who are both back next season. The former JuCo prospect is instead headed to Georgia."
Miami will have a mostly experienced offense in 2024. Restrepo and Ward are entering their fifth seasons. George is a true junior. Four of the five Miami starting OL have multiple years as starters in college. Miami returns eight players who started on offense versus Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.
The additions of Carpenter and Ward add more experience. Ward needs to cut down on his fumbles. Ward led the nation in 2023 with seven lost fumbles. With Ward at QB, Miami should decrease their interceptions thrown in 2024. Washington State finished 39th with nine interceptions thrown in 2023, seven thrown by Ward.
Next. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. ESPN names Cam Ward as 2024 transfer with most to prove. dark
Miami was 107th with 14 interceptions thrown in 2023. The Hurricanes were 108th with 22 turnovers overall. That is almost two per game. Miami has to have been ball control in 2023. The addition of Ward should make Miami far more efficient and explosive offensively during the 2024 season.