ESPN's Pete Thamel updates Cam Ward, Will Howard, DJ Uiagalelei transfer recruitments

While some big dominoes have fallen in the transfer portal through the first couple weeks of the window, some notable names remain on the board. Two of the top four quarterbacks to enter the portal remain on the board, and ESPN’s Pete Thamel had some updates on where things stand.

At halftime of the 76 Birmingham Bowl between Duke and Troy, Thamel shared updates on three standout quarterbacks — Cam Ward, Will Howard and DJ Uiagalelei. Ward and Howard are the biggest names in the portal, checking in as the No. 1 and No. 4-ranked quarterbacks in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Uiagalelei is currently the No. 11 quarterback transfer.

All three recruitments have been interesting as they’ve taken multiple visits, as On3’s Pete Nakos previously reported in his latest intel. As for where things stand, though, it feels like it might be a domino effect of sorts.

Cam Ward

Ward has taken visits to both Miami and Florida State, and Thamel said it’s now a “waiting game” of sorts. The NFL route is also an option for Ward, but all eyes are on the state of Florida if he decides to stay in college — especially since the Hurricanes are also in on KJ Jefferson.

“We’ll start with Cam Ward. Right now, it’s a waiting game,” Thamel said. “Miami and Florida State are the contenders, and both are sitting around waiting to see what Cam Ward will do. Cam Ward has a heavy asking price. He’s arguably the the most coveted player in the portal. And tick, tick, tick — it’s been about a week since he went and visited both places, and we still don’t have an answer for Cam Ward.”

Will Howard

Howard’s transfer recruitment has taken him on visits to Miami and USC, and Ohio State could also be a team to watch, On3 previously reported. It’s been a slow roll for Howard, but Thamel said that could pay off as teams go through their bowl games and look at their current situations.

“We also don’t have an answer for Will Howard,” Thamel said. “He’s visited Miami, he’s visited USC. He’s considering going pro and he also may be patient enough to see his options. There’s places like Michigan, where a starting job may open up. There’s also other schools that may decide after their bowl game that they could have a starting opportunity for Will Howard. So Will Howard has been patient, and there’s some ambiguity about where he’ll go.”

DJ Uiagalelei

Uiagalelei’s options look similar to Ward’s, which makes sense considering he visited Florida State. According to Thamel, Uiagalelei could make a decision after Ward, although he also isn’t ruling out the NFL route.

“DJU — DJ Uiagalelei, the former Clemson and Oregon State star — took a visit last week to Florida State. He is a little bit waiting to see what Cam Ward does,” Thamel said. “DJ Uiagalelei is also considering the NFL option. He’s about the same size as Maalik Murphy — 6-5, 240 pounds. That’s the archetype of a body that NFL front offices like in their quarterbacks.”