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Why Cam Ward picked Miami instead of the 2024 NFL Draft

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•01/14/24
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Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Miami made a key addition via the transfer portal this weekend, snagging dynamic Washington State quarterback Cam Ward.

Ward had initially indicated he planned to go to the NFL Draft but apparently had a change of heart. His change of heart is Miami’s gain, as he was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the portal.

“I think Miami did a really good job of staying in his ear and trying to recruit him the last few weeks,” On3’s Pete Nakos said on the Andy Staples On3 show. “Cam was training for the NFL in Florida. And I also think he spent a couple weeks evaluating the NFL and college a little bit more and I think that he realized returning to college and going to Miami would only boost his draft stock.”

Cam Ward has a considerable amount of production to fall back on, which adds a level of security to his NFL Draft profile. But he’ll be able to build on that even further with the Hurricanes.

In his career, Ward has thrown for 13,874 yards, with 119 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He’s coming off a 3,735-yard campaign in 2023.

So what exactly led a player that productive to return to school, rather than enter the NFL Draft like he had initially planned?

“Obviously this year’s class is uber talented, especially with today’s news that JJ McCarthy will enter,” Nakos said.

The sheer number of potential first-round quarterbacks makes it possible that someone around the bottom of the first tier of quarterback prospects could really slide. Ward, as good as he is, was likely in that bunch.

Staples also touched on that element of the decision, especially in light of McCarthy’s recent move to enter this year’s loaded draft class at quarterback.

“All of these things affect the other things too, because that’s also a piece of news that maybe Cam Ward was expecting when he committed to Miami,” Staples said. “I think back to JJ before the Rose Bowl, he did sound like a guy who was ready to go to the NFL. But then you watched him play in the Rose Bowl, in the national title game, another year, it could be helpful for him. But now this opens up that spot.”