Breaking down the case for Cam Ward as Heisman contender
Cam Ward didn’t return to college football to collect participation trophies. On Monday, On3’s Andy Staples and Jesse Simonton broke down the Miami transfer quarterback’s chances at winning the Heisman Trophy in the 2024 campaign.
“Because [Miami head coach] Mario [Cristobal] hasn’t done it yet, if Cam does become the guy, the prince that was promised, and kind of brings them home, I think Cam Ward,” Simonton said on his Heisman pick. “He’s a guy, much like Jalen Milroe, that could have 40 total touchdowns.
“He doesn’t have quite Milroe’s upside athleticism but he will run. So, you get him some some red zone scores. Miami has some running back concerns, as is, so he poachers some of those touchdowns and then throws.”
Ward has no problem scoring. While at Washington State in 2023, Ward tallied 25 passing touchdowns and eight rushing scores while throwing just seven interceptions. The Texas native finished the season with 3,735 passing yards, the fifth-most in the country.
If Ward can replicate his passing prowess at Miami, Simonton believes Hurricane fans could have a fun year ahead of them.
“Miami hasn’t had a 3,000-yard passer since 2017, which coincidentally or not coincidentally is the last time they won 10 games,” Simonton said. “If he kind of helps them break through that glass ceiling, I could see him being the exception there.”
Ward has a history of excelling in unfamiliar environment. Before transferring to Washington State ahead of the 2021 season, he played one year at Incarnate Word, an FCS program.
While there, Ward was selected to the FCS All-American Second Team, named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was a Walter Payton Award Finalist, an honor given to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS Football.
Cam Ward is hungry to lead Miami to success
After this past season concluded, Ward declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Jan. 1. However, less than two weeks later, Ward decided to withdraw from the draft and transfer to Miami. Now, Ward will look to put together a masterpiece in his final year at the collegiate level.
“That was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make, from thinking I was ready for the NFL Draft to knowing I’m still not done yet in college,” Ward said in April. “There’s still food left on the table for myself, for this team.
“The guys we return from last season — majority of O-line, receiving corps back, key pieces of the defense. … I feel like this is the right program not only for myself but for guys who are here right now or going to end up coming here. We’re trying to build because, at the end of the day, Miami, we’ve got to get back up there. It starts one game at a time. One practice at a time.”