Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward on Wednesday: "I’m trying to help lead this team, eventually try to win a championship"

It’s been a while since Miami had a top-tier NFL-level talent behind center – the last quarterback to go in the first four rounds of the draft was all the way back in 1992 when Craig Erickson went in that fourth round.

Enter Cam Ward.

Ward was projected as a middle round NFL pick had he gone pro, a reason he opted to return to college and transfer to Miami – his goal is to become a guy that goes in the first or second rounds.

Certainly he has the pieces around him to succeed, with top portal additions RB Damien Martinez, WR Sam Brown and center Zach Carpenter joining three returning OL starters (Jalen Rivers, Anez Cooper, Francis Mauigoa), top returning WRs Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, and the team finally has a healthy TE Elijah Arroyo set to join freshman H-back standout Elija Lofton.

“I think we can be real good offensively,” Ward said. “Getting Damien here was a big piece of that. When I played against him (at Washington State) you could just see the different style he runs with. He can be a dominant rusher, also an agility rusher. There’s a lot of running backs in the country that can’t do what her does. (At receiver) I’m real comfortable with JG (Jacolby George) and X (Xavier Restrepo). If we get where we want offensively, they’re going to be a big part of that. And Isaiah Horton has had a big spring, the way he sees the field is the same as X and JG. Our timing is on point. And I think the biggest sleeper is (TE) Elijah Arroyo. I think he’s going to have a big season this year blocking, pass catching – he’s going to be the reason our offense goes.

“The offensive line, that’s the group that is the least of our worries. They have the right mindset every day. … it’s good being in my position behind an offensive line like that. With the defensive line, the trenches are the best part of our team right now.”

Ward calls this “the best O line” he’s played behind.

“I’m just grateful to be behind those guys,” he said. “It’s going to be a great year for our front 5.”

Ward said he has a great connection with Restrepo and that he thinks George can be a real breakout player nationally given his ability to make plays after the catch.

“What they were missing previously was someone to let them know what they are seeing,” Ward said. “The communication standpoint I have with Jacolby George…. I feel is the best on the team because JG is going to be the reason we can be a top offense in the country. I think he’s going to be the focal point of that because of what he can do after the catch. He’s the guy I can throw a three-yard slant to and he can (score), just boosted my stats. Jacolby George knows he’s that guy and I’m looking for him to bring it every game.”

As for Ward?

He’s a Heisman hopeful who could push Miami to 35+ points on offense per game for the first time in over 20 years.

But personal honors are far from his mind.

“At this point, this time in my life, I’m more focused on trying to win football games with the team around me,” Ward said. “The coaching staff is going to put us in the best position.”

Certainly the pressure is on him to perform.

And he welcomes it.

“At the end of the day for me I’m trying to help lead this team, eventually try to win a championship,” he said. “We have the talent, but at the end of the day we have to come play football. We have a schedule that fits us, play some really good teams. The biggest thing for us is take it one game at a time. … We have to be the same team every Saturday.”

Ward reflected that this was “one of my best springs,” and he stressed that something he’s worked on most is “getting better at the easy stuff,” and taking the easy yards when it’s available.

As for Ward’s background?

Well, he has quite the resume.

The 6-2, 221-pounder was No. 4 in passing yards in college football last season, finishing hitting on 66.7 percent of his throws for 3,732 yards (311.0 yards per game) with 25 TDs and seven INTs (adding eight rushing scores).  In 2022, Ward started every game for Washington State and hit on 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,231 yards with 23 TDs and nine interceptions (he added five rushing scores). In 2021 at Incarnate Word he was an FCS Second Team All-American and Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year after completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 4,648 yards with 47 TD passes and 10 INTs (1 rushing score). And as a freshman there in 2020 he won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman player in FCS – in six games he threw for 2,260 yards (60.4 percent completion rate) with 24 TDs and four INTs, adding two rushing scores.

He chose to return to college after testing his NFL options … at one point leaning toward turning pro and saying he would change his mind almost every day before settling on playing at UM.

“A lot went into that decision,” Ward said. “That’s probably one of the most stressful times in my life. Me, my mom, my dad. Every day my decision changed. Went into my parents’ room. I told them one day I was going to this school. Next day I was going to the league, next day I was going to Miami. If I had to do it all over again, I would. The biggest thing for me is there was still food left on the table for me. I accomplished a lot of things at the FCS level, I haven’t accomplished things I know I’m capable of at the Power Five level. I feel like NFL isn’t going anywhere. God put me in this position to be a Miami Hurricane. I think it’s been the best of both worlds.”

Ward says what drew him to Miami was “Offensively and defensively, a top 25 offense and defense last year. The biggest selling point for me with Miami was the offensive line and receiving corps they have.”

He adds “I know where I want to get to with football at the end of the day, which is make it to the NFL.”

Per Pro Football Focus, Ward graded out at a stellar 80.7 percent this past season (59.9 percent in 2022 and then 66.9 percent and 67.0 percent his prior two years at Incarnate Word). He was particularly deadly on deep throws last season with an elite 92.7 grade on throws of 20+ yards (he was 23-57 for 725 yards with 10 TDs and two INTs on those passes).

Now his goal is to provide explosive playmaking at Miami.

He says coordinator Shannon Dawson “gave me the keys to the kingdom on offense – he lets me see the field how I see the field – I think it’ll pay dividends for everybody.”

Ward adds that “I’m trying to stay day-to-day, play the next play in football terms. At the end of the day you have to show up and make plays on the field.”

Quotes via ACC Football Kickoff, ACC Network, 560 AM