With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward, officially ushering in the start of a new era for the franchise at the game’s most important position.
Ward’s arrival figures to eventually answer a question that has long plagued Tennessee: Who will be the long-term linchpin under center? Drafting Ward after much speculation could prove to be a perfect decision, with the 6-foot-2, 219-pound QB already drawing comparisons to Titans icon and 2003 co-Most Valuable Player, the late Steve McNair.
Much like every top pick before him, Ward will face pressure on and off the field, but, as has been the case with a select few, the 22-year-old appears to boast both the confidence and skills to embrace the hype. The strong-armed QB turned heads at Incarnate Word and Washington State, but it was in his lone year at Miami where his star truly ascended.
After posting 385 passing yards in Week 1, the most ever by a debuting Miami QB, Ward claimed numerous accolades en route to finishing 2024 as the Davey O’Brien Award winner and Miami’s first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2002. He amassed 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, both Hurricanes single-season records, against seven interceptions while leading Miami (10-3) to its first 10-win season since 2017. Ward also became the first player in school history to win ACC Player of the Year and capped off his fifth and final collegiate season by breaking Case Keenum’s Division I record (155) for career passing touchdowns (158).
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Ward ranked No. 13 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“With his quick load and fire, Ward is a perfect fit for the RPO game and quick drops. He is elusive in the pocket and has an innate feel for casually operating around pressure to buy extra time, although he needs to find a happier medium between his nonchalant style and playing with the urgency required. He reads well in structure and throws with anticipation, but each game tape includes examples of questionable, forced decisions with negative results. Overall, Ward must button up his drifting footwork and cut down on the reckless habits, but he is a loose, instinctive passer who can rip accurate strikes with a natural rhythm to his play. With his talent and intangibles, he projects as an NFL starter in the mold of a taller, slower version of Kyler Murray.”
Coaching intel
What two anonymous coaches had to say about Ward in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“I know guys (at Miami), they love that kid — like, really love him. He’s an alpha. Great leader. Competitive. That usually works well in the NFL.”
“His good is really, really good. But he is really loose with the ball — as a runner, when he scrambles, that ball is out there, and he takes a lot of chances throwing it. A lot of balls he threw were interceptions that were dropped. But athletically, he’s everything you want. He’s got all the arm talent. He’s elusive, but he freelances so much. He is so high-risk, high-reward. I think it’d be scary passing on him because of what he could be.”
Cam Ward SHOWED OUT in Miami’s win over Wake Forest 👏 pic.twitter.com/kM1xLX5BCG
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 24, 2024
Every touchdown from Cam Ward’s record-setting season with @CanesFootball 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gssW3jPHuX
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 14, 2024
Come back later for more analysis of Ward.
(Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)