Miami quarterback Cam Ward inks NIL deal with Fortune 500 company

Cam Ward has signed a multi-year NIL partnership with a Fortune 500 company, his NIL marketing agent Jeffrey Weiner told On3 on Saturday. 

The Washington State transfer was one of the top-ranked quarterbacks to enter the transfer portal this past window. After taking a round of portal visits, he initially announced for the NFL draft on Jan. 1, 2024. Thirteen days later he committed to Miami, delivering a key offseason win for the Hurricanes.

As part of the agreement with the Fortune 500 company, Ward is set to star in a national marketing campaign with his parents, Calvin and Patrice Ward. The company will be revealed with the public launch of the partnership, which is slated for later this year. 

“I’m excited about the partnership because I’m really close with my family, so to be able to do a campaign with them is going to be really fun,” he told On3.

Added Patrice: “I’m proud to be part of this journey.”

The grad transfer will be immediately eligible to play for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes in 2024. Ward thrived the past two seasons on The Palouse, throwing for over 6,300 yards and 43 touchdowns. Known for his mobility, he was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in this year’s transfer portal, according to On3’s Industry Rankings.

“He’s [Ward] an explosive player who’s a great leader,” Cristobal recently told On3’s J.D. PicKell. “He’s got a great presence about him, he’s been in big games, big situations, tough situations. 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, and he does not shy away from competition.”

Cam Ward poised to capitalize at Miami 

Ward started his career at Incarnate Word, making a name for himself while setting school records for career passing TDs (71) and yards (6,908). He transferred to Washington State in January 2022. 

Entering the 2024 season, the quarterback is 37 touchdowns away from breaking Case Keenum’s FBS/FCS record of 155 career touchdown passes. Recent Heisman Trophy odds from Circa Sports give Ward the sixth-best odds to win college football’s top award at +1500. 

He takes over at Miami for Tyler Van Dyke, who transferred to Wisconsin in December. Ward’s agreement with the Fortune 500 company is his third since arriving in Coral Gables. He inked an endorsement agreement with the Miami-driven NIL collective Canes Connection last month and partnered with EA Sports College Football 25 to promote him opting-in to the game.

The West Columbia, Texas, native has announced that his second annual Free Youth Football Camp in his hometown will be on May 5. Miami fans will get their first glimpse at Ward on April 13 at the program’s spring game.

“Cam Ward is the first athlete I’ve ever seen who, at only 20-years-old, didn’t want to get paid do a camp, but rather he simply wanted to do it for free to inspire kids in his hometown to pursue their dreams, even if they’re a zero-star recruit like he was,” Weiner said. “He’s a special football player who’s going to be a tremendous NFL quarterback for a long time, but I’m more proud that I think he’s going to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award one day, because that’s just the type of person he is.”