Transfer QB Cam Ward could trigger breakthrough Year 3 for Mario Cristobal at Miami

The first two seasons of the Mario Cristobal era at Miami have not been the happiest of homecomings so many envisioned when the Prodigal Son was hired.  

There have been plenty of recruiting highs (back-to-back Top 10 classes), but far too many on-field lows — from inexplicable losses (Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Rutgers) to historic blowouts (Duke, Florida State, Clemson). The staff has undergone constant turnover and the roster has seen key contributors depart the program on poor terms. 

Cristobal is just 12-13 with the Hurricanes, starting four different quarterbacks during his early tenure.  The former Oregon head coach’s checkered history with quarterbacks is well-documented, but as Miami started spring practice Monday, there’s renewed optimism that Cristobal can return his alma mater back into a contender in 2024 thanks to his newest QB1. 

The Hurricanes (reportedly) paid a pretty penny to keep Cam Ward in college for one more year, and the initial impressions of the former Washington State standout has teammates and coaches alike believing Miami landed a game-changer. 

A playmaker. A trash-talker. A leader. 

“He’s a guy that can take command of the line of scrimmage. I think that’s critical,” Cristobal said earlier this week. 

“I remember blocking for quarterbacks. I loved those guys who could look at a receiver who might complain about not getting the ball or a lineman who is tired and say, ‘We ain’t having that. We’re going to go.’ It’s something that we have always wanted and always want to have at the University of Miami. I think he brings that and more.”

Why Cam Ward changes Miami’s outlook in 2024

Quick: Who is the last Hurricanes quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a single season?

It wasn’t Tyler Van Dyke, who came close twice. D’Eriq King never did it. Same for Jarren Williams and N’Kosi Perry.

Done guessing?

It was Malik Rosier, way back in 2017. 

That also happens to be the last time Miami had a 10-win season and was in contention for the ACC title late in the year. Entering the 2024 season, Miami has a preseason over/under win-total of 9.5 — the same as Florida State and Clemson

Cristobal has rebuilt Miami’s lines on both sides of the ball, and finally, there’s no shortage of skill talent on Miami’s roster. All-ACC wideout Xavier Restrepo is coming off one of the best seasons in school history (program-record 85 receptions) and is the top slot receiver in the conference. Jacolby George averaged over 15 yards per catch and is a potential 1,000-yard wideout, too. Mark Fletcher was the best freshman tailback in the ACC last year, and is now the team’s undisputed No. 1 option. 

The missing piece was the quarterback. 

Perhaps not anymore.

Cam Ward had 61 total touchdowns in the last two years at Wazzu, and he’s thrown for over 3,000 yards the last three seasons. He’s a dynamic talent with 44 career starts to his name, and now he’ll be surrounded by the best offensive line and the most weapons he’s ever worked with. 

As Cristobal told On3’s JD Pickell on The Hard Count last week, “He’s an explosive player who’s a great leader. He’s got a great presence about him. He’s been in big games, big situations, tough situations. He has been overmatched personnel-wise and still finds a way to create some dynamic explosive plays, manage a game, make a lot out of a little sometimes. And at the same time, he’s very goal-driven. He’s very intent on helping Miami become a prominent football program once again.”

Ward spent the last three seasons flourishing in ‘Air Raid’ offenses, so his transition to Shannon Dawson‘s similar scheme has gone seamlessly thus far this offseason. The goal over the course of spring practice is to iron out any kinks and figure out how to best suit the offense around Ward’s skills.  

“(Ward) can make plays because he already understands what everybody’s doing. I think it’s important for a quarterback to really understand what the guys up front are doing, where the free hitters might be, how to put ourselves in a good play, how to make adjustments, how to take over an offensive system,” Cristobal said. 

“And he runs it at a really, really high level in a short amount of time.”

In Cristobal’s first two seasons at Miami, the ‘Canes have been undone by poor red zone offense (90th nationally in 2023) and turnovers (108th last season). Van Dyke had back-breaking interceptions in several losses the last two years, which was part of the reason he was in and out of the starting lineup. 

Ward should help solve the team’s red zone woes, especially if Dawson continues to tailor the offense around the quarterback’s ability to threaten defenses with his legs. The goal this spring is to strike the right balance because the transfer quarterback does have a track record of fumbling the football. 

There’s plenty of time for Ward and Dawson to sorts things out, though. What’s most important is that Cam Ward is in the building. Cristobal was looking at the real possibility of entering a pivotal Year 3 having to start an FCS transfer (Reese Poffenbarger) or an inexperienced option (Emory Williams or Jacurri Brown).

Instead, Miami landed the top transfer QB in the portal — even if it took longer than the ‘Canes would’ve liked. Ward spurned the pros because he wants to improve his NFL Draft stock, and that decision could change the direction of Cristobal’s program — in 2024 and beyond.