Miami football named top 10 most exciting 2024 teams
The addition of Cam Ward at quarterback from Washington State led Cody Nagel of 247 Sports to include the Hurricanes in his article, "Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss among 10 college football teams we're most excited to watch in 2024. The Miami football team will be closely watched in 2024 with the addition of Ward.
The Miami football team returns five starters on defense and seven on offense from the final regular season game at Boston College. Miami will also return edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor, who were starters to begin the 2023 season before suffering injuries that ended their seasons early.
Ward is not the only reason Miami should be one of the top 10 college football teams to be excited about in 2024. Rueben Bain won the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, six returning players earned All-ACC last season and three more returnees were named honorable mention All-ACC.
The primary Miami All-ACC returnees are Bain, middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and wide receivers Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo. Restrepo set the single-season Miami record with 85 receptions. George had a breakout season with 57 receptions for 864 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Miami landed one of the top transfer portal quarterbacks in former Washington State star Cameron Ward ahead of what could be a make-or-break season for coach Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. Ward opted to skip the 2024 NFL Draft and return to college for another year, giving Miami a difference-maker to breakthrough offensively. Cristobal is just 12-13 (.480) in two seasons with the Hurricanes, who are among the early frontrunners for the ACC crown."
- Cody Nagel, 247Sports
Miami will likely be one of the early favorites to win the ACC in 2024 with Clemson and Florida State. The addition of Ward significantly elevates the expectations for Miami in 2024. Ward is a consensus top three transfer QB. Miami improved significantly offensively in the first season under coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Next. Cam Ward PFF. Pro Football Focus highly ranked Cam Ward highly among transfer QBs for 2024.. dark
Ward played in an Air Raid offense at Washington State. He should be able to learn the Dawson offense quickly. Miami has added eight other transfers and signed the fifth-ranked 2024 class. Several Miami freshmen will compete for snaps in 2024. The Hurricanes need a successful 2024 season.