PFF names Cam Ward top 10 QB to know ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

After initially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Cam Ward transferred from Washington State to Miami to improve his stock for 2025. Ward's transfer to Miami helped the Hurricanes add elite running back Damien Martinez and 800-yard wide receiver Sam Brown as transfers this spring.

Ward will enter the 2024 season as one of the biggest names in college football. Miami is the third favorite in the ACC behind Clemson and Florida State, largely because of the addition of Ward. Miami has one of the best WR units in college football for Ward to throw to in 2024. Miami returns its top two receivers, Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George.

Brown, George and Restrepo form one of the few WR trios in college football who all recorded over 800 yards in 2023. Martinez provides balance for Miami offensively. Miami opponents will have to respect the run and the pass in 2024. The offensive balance should help Ward.

Washington State opponents were able to focus on stopping Ward in 2023. The Cougars were 130th nationally averaging 84.83 rushing yards per game. Miami finished 45th in 2023 averaging 173.50 rushing yards per game. Those numbers should increase with Martinez as the lead RB.

"CAMERON WARD, MIAMI (FL)
Ward’s tape is truly a roller coaster. The former Washington State quarterback has ridiculous arm talent that allows him to make throws that very few in college football are capable of making. Ward’s 24 big-time throws were tied for eighth in the Power Five. However, he’s far too careless with the football. Since 2022, his 42 turnover-worthy plays are the most among Power Five quarterbacks. He has the talent to go in the first round but will need to rein it in to get there."

- Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

Most of the turnover-worthy plays for Ward at Washington State were fumbles. Ward threw 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions in his two seasons at Washington State. Ward finished tied for second nationally in 2023 with 11 fumbles. In 2022, Ward was seventh nationally with seven fumbles.

PFF explained how they determine turnover-worthy plays. Not all turnovers are turnover-worthy plays. Some plays that do not result in turnovers are turnover-worthy. Ward can balance out some of the turnovers by creating big plays. The ability for Ward to create plays when they break down should help his NFL Draft stock.

In 2023, Ward finished ninth nationally with 144 pass plays of 10 or more yards and 11th with 52 completions of 20 or more yards. The ability for Restrepo to find seems in the zone and George to get open deep should connect well with Ward in the passing game for Miami in 2024.

If Ward can cut down on the turnover-worthy plays and continue connecting on big plays, he could be the first first-round QB from Miami since Steve Walsh in the 1988 supplemental NFL Draft and first in the regular NFL Draft since Vinny Testaverde was selected first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft.