Joel Klatt believes Cam Ward could contend for the Heisman Trophy with correct fit

Former Wazzu QB Cam Ward is one of the best quarterbacks and players available in the transfer portal, if not the best. That’s why, depending on his choice, Joel Klatt has him in the mix for the Heisman Trophy in 2024.

Klatt previewed a group of contenders for the sport’s most prestigious award next season during his show on Monday. He recognizes that Ward is already going to be highly-sought after as a transfer quarterback. However, if he picks the right place, he believes he could have the type of year that would take him to New York for next season’s Heisman ceremony.

“Cam Ward, now, is the most coveted piece of the transfer portal market,” said Klatt. “It’s good for him. He’s going to command a lot of NIL dollars.”

“f he goes to the right place and if he makes the right decision? Cam Ward is going to be in the Heisman Trophy race,” said Klatt. “There’s no doubt.”

Still, fit is going to be everything based on Klatt’s argument.

Ward is going to have the statistics after throwing for nearly 14,000 yards and 119 touchdowns on a 64.5% completion rate over four years with the Cougars. If he wants to be in the mix, though, what program he selects will make a massive difference, which is why Klatt listed some scenarios where it may or may not work.

“There’s some places that I don’t think that that’s the case,” Klatt explained. “Like, for instance – and this is not a knock. But, like, if he goes to Miami? I don’t see him being in the Heisman race. I don’t see Miami having the type of team season that it would require for him to go do that.”

“Maybe Florida State is a place. But the one spot where I know he would produce, be developed, and be the centerpiece for a team that would compete for their conference championship and, very likely, be in the College Football Playoff is Ohio State,” stated Klatt. “For me, if Cam Ward were to go to Ohio State? He would be firmly inside of that top-five for the Heisman Trophy, at least in the preseason.”

With Kyle McCord in the portal as well, Ward would slot in immediately as the starter in Columbus. That would give him the embarrassment of riches as far as skill talent for the Buckeyes to work with on a team that would once again compete in their conference and nationally. All in all? That would, under the assumption that he succeeds, make a great case for the Heisman Trophy.

All three of the quarterback finalists for this year’s award were players that were former transfers. That’s why, with no decision yet from Ward, Klatt is highlighting this one as a significant decision regarding how next season could unfold.

“We’ll see where he goes – but that’s a big piece of next year,” said Klatt. “That is a big piece, that is a big domino that’s going to have to fall before next season.”