2025 NFL Draft: Cameron Ward focused on leading the Miami Hurricanes back to relevance

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cameron Ward is content with his decision to withdraw from the 2024 NFL Draft and return to college.  It was a hard decision admits the 2025 NFL Draft prospect, but it could turn out to be the best decision.

The former Washington State QB now finds himself in position to be one of the top quarterback prospects off the board come next April as he is ranked as the third best signal caller behind Colorado’s Shaduer Sanders and Georgia’s Carson Beck.  Could his transfer to Miami put him in position to leap over either of those top two prospects before the 2024 college football season is over?

Miami Hurricanes QB Cameron Ward setting the tone for the 2025 NFL Draft

At 6-foot-2, 2023 pounds, Ward has shown off elite arm talent and athleticism inside and outside of the pocket in leading Washington State.  If not for struggles towards the end of the season, perhaps his initial decision to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft would’ve been permanent.

But, as a sign of his maturity, he recognized he needed another season in college.  Again, a hard decision, but one he is ready to make the best of…with the Hurricanes.

“That was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make, from thinking I was ready for the NFL Draft to knowing I’m still not done yet in college,” Ward said.  “There’s still food left on the table for myself, for this team.

“The guys we return from last season – majority of O-line, receiving corps back, key pieces of the defense. …I fell like this is the right program not only for myself but for guys who are here right now or going to end up coming here.  We’re trying to build because, at the end of the day, Miami, we’ve got to get back up there.  It starts one game at a time.  One practice at a time.”

Named as the most intriguing newcomer by ESPN, Ward now has a bigger spotlight on him in leading an ACC team.  He hasn’t played an official game yet, but he already impressed in the team’s spring game on Saturday, throwing his first touchdown for the Hurricanes to receiver Isaiah Horton.  That touchdown connection may be one of many between Ward and Horton.  It may also be the start to Ward transcending his game even more.

Where would Cameron Ward be drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft?

In looking at where Ward would be drafted if he didn’t return to the college game, he would go as high as the third round and perhaps to a team looking for more of a project type quarterback.  Now, Ward has an opportunity to show NFL teams he can be more than that.  With another year in college under his belt, teams with aging veteran quarterbacks may look at him as an intriguing prospect in 2025.

Perhaps a team who loses out on selecting a top quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft will see Ward as a potential starter depending on whether he is able to put the University of Miami back on the map of college football.

A team like the Las Vegas Raiders instantly come to mind as a way too early fit for Ward.  Obviously, there’s a long way to go, but Ward appears on track to make his decision a beneficial one for himself, Miami and whoever his future NFL team will be.