CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Quarterback Cam Ward believes he has “solidified” himself as the highest total decide in subsequent month’s NFL draft, he stated Monday after Miami‘s professional day.
The Heisman Trophy finalist labored out in entrance of greater than 90 NFL workforce staffers, together with a full contingent from the Tennessee Titans, who personal the No. 1 decide. At one level throughout his exercise, Ward accomplished a go and was seen chatting with Titans common supervisor Mike Borgonzi and president of soccer operations Chad Brinker after the play.
The gist of his message: I will see you subsequent month.
“[I told them] ‘I am solidifying it at this time,'” Ward stated. “They lastly acquired to see me throw in individual. That needs to be all they should see. However on the finish of the day … I’ll be pleased no matter workforce I’m going to. I am simply making an attempt to play soccer.”
Ward set a number of college data in his lone season with the Hurricanes in 2024, together with the single-season data for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns and completion proportion. In his closing collegiate recreation, he turned the all-time FCS and FBS mixed chief in passing touchdowns with 158.
The previous zero-star recruit out of West Columbia (Texas) enrolled at Incarnate Phrase in 2020 and threw for six,908 yards and 71 touchdowns in simply 19 video games over two seasons. He transferred to Washington State earlier than the 2022 season, and threw for an additional 6,966 yards and 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions in two seasons earlier than transferring once more to Miami.
Ward stated he believed he could possibly be the highest decide within the NFL draft whereas at Incarnate Phrase, however knew he needed to show it past the FCS degree — therefore, his transfers to Washington State and Miami.
“I feel all I wanted was an opportunity to play in a quarterback-driven system,” he stated. “[Former Incarnate Word] coach [Eric] Morris gave me the chance and I simply suppose I at all times carry myself that kind of means. However then additionally it involves a degree it’s important to play at. Lots of people will not take a No. 1 total participant from the FCS … it comes from the Energy 5 degree.
“So, I simply suppose yearly I’ve gotten higher and it finally led to me being in consideration.”
The Titans drafted former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis within the second spherical in 2023, however he has accomplished simply 61% of his passes over two seasons for 3,899 yards and 21 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. Levis was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph late within the 2024 season because the Titans struggled to a league-worst 3-14 report.
Although Ward insisted he can be pleased to play for any workforce, he was enthusiastic about probably working with Titans coach Brian Callahan, who spent 5 seasons because the Cincinnati Bengals‘ offensive coordinator.
“I feel Coach Callahan’s among the finest head coaches on the market. The issues he did with Joe Burrow when he first acquired into the league made him be actual profitable,” Ward stated. “I simply suppose the playbooks match up not just for there, however Cleveland and New York. Plenty of these three groups did the identical issues that we did in Miami. So I feel it will be plug and play.”
The 2025 NFL draft can be held April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay.