Revisiting the timeline on Cam Ward transfer possibilities

On Tuesday, On3’s top college football transfer portal reporter, Pete Nakos, dropped in to have a chat with college football expert Andy Staples on the Andy Staples On3 Podcast. One of the burning questions on many college football fans’ minds, especially those in Florida, is where highly recruited transfer quarterback Cam Ward will land. And Nakos might have an answer to that question.

Ward has been vigorously pursued by both Florida ACC programs, Miami and Florida State. Both have pulled out all the stops to acquire his services for the 2024 season. But when is Ward planning on making a decision, and is it just a two-man race between the Hurricanes and Seminoles? Or is there a dark horse Nakos believes might come in and whisk Ward away?

“I’ve heard at the earliest midweek. Other people have told me they are expecting it a little bit closer to Christmas, so maybe over the weekend,” said Nakos.

“Andy, I can just tell you right now, I don’t think anyone has the best feeling of what Cam Ward is going to do. You talk to some; Miami has a lot to offer, especially from an NIL perspective. I think Florida State put together a great weekend for Cam and his family. They also put together a pretty lucrative deal, from my understanding. This is just to get into the Cam Ward sweepstakes; we’re not talking about these schools trying to up each other; that’s just the situation right now.”

Ward spent two seasons with Washington State after transferring in from Division II Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. He started 25 games for the Cougars, throwing for more than 6,400 yards and 43 touchdowns while adding 11 more scores on the ground.

While it does appear that Miami and Florida State have the inside track when it comes to recruiting Ward, there is another option for the former Washington State Cougars quarterback — the 2024 NFL Draft. And whatever Ward decides to do, Nakos believes that the draft will play a huge role either way.

“And then the NFL is still on the table. The more conversations, I continue to have, I really think the NFL is going to play a factor in this,” said Nakos. Even if he doesn’t go, [he’s] definitely going to the school that’s gonna help his draft stock the most or play in a scheme that would be more similar to the NFL factor; that would definitely factor in.”

Ward’s name has not been mentioned with the top quarterbacks entering or likely to enter the upcoming draft. If he does decide to enter, the former Cougar and Cardinal could be looking at being a Day-2 selection. However, should Ward stay in college for one more season and put together another quality year, he could find himself at the top of everyone’s board in 2025. And whatever program is better suited to make that a reality for him is likely to acquire Ward’s services for 2024.