NFL Analysis

7/1/24

5 min read

2025 NFL Draft QB Study: Cameron Ward is The Next Great Transfer Portal Prospect

By Ian Valentino

The transfer portal has been a revelation for college football and the NFL Draft. While the constant player movement isn't always guaranteed to be successful for players, teams, or evaluators, massive wins have made it worthwhile. Just think of how Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Michael Penix Jr. have benefitted from changing scenery.

Now, Cameron Ward is looking to do the same with the Miami Hurricanes in 2024. Can Ward become a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?

>> Other QB Breakdowns: Sanders | Beck | Ewers | Milroe

Cameron Ward 2025 NFL Draft Outlook

The 2025 quarterback class is dying for a superstar to emerge, and in terms of physical profile, Ward is the best candidate. The electric dual-threat was an immediate star when he touched the field as a freshman at Incarnate Word, setting multiple school records in only six games.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder established himself so quickly that Washington State wasted little time recruiting Ward to the Power 5 level.

Ward's dynamic arm and smooth-moving style translated into two efficient seasons. He totaled a 65.5 percent completion rate, 6,968 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He added 202 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, too. No one will confuse Ward for Lamar Jackson, but he carried an often outmanned Cougars team to a 12-12 record in a difficult Pac-12 schedule.

The raw stats, physical frame, and experience check many boxes for Ward, who transferred to Miami to play under Mario Cristobal in 2024. Cristobal employs a much different offensive mindset than the Air Raid-based attack Washington State had.

In essence, Ward was the offensive hub with a ton of responsibility on each play.

Despite being in an Air Raid attack, Ward does not play within the timing of an offense. He benefitted from the spacing that comes with five-wide receiver looks and is incredibly adept at buying time in the pocket when pressure emerges. However, he was overly reliant on this talent, which led to stressing the offensive line during scramble drills.

A balance should be found in Miami, where Cristobal will surely have Ward under center, making full-field reads more than ever. While Cristobal did not maximize Justin Herbert's talent at Oregon, he did help the future NFL star find the balance between all-out playmaking and being a game manager when appropriate. Ward needs that same recalibration.

His arm strength allows him to push the ball to all levels of the field effectively, and overall, it's above average. His smooth motion generates good velocity and, most importantly, tremendous touch, which allows him to float the ball to his target. This includes feathering in passes between defenders and usually leading them upfield.

He also has a passers and gamer's mindset. He'll break the pocket, passing on open targets as he chases bigger plays, but always does so to throw the ball. The tools are simply outstanding from a full-picture standpoint, so his big challenge will be the mental adjustment to be masterful pre- and post-snap. 

Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports.

Can Cameron Ward Become the No. 1 Pick in 2025?

While top-rated quarterbacks Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and others have unique strengths and arguments for becoming the top pick in 2025, Ward has the best balance of traits and playmaking.

He has a stronger arm than Sanders, is much more consistently accurate than Milroe, and is more dynamic than Beck. Of course, it's not that easy.

Washington State clearly struggled against better competition, and Ward rarely used his game enough to put them over the top. His efficiency is encouraging, but he became a check-down fiend too easily. For as exciting as his highlights are, Ward's ridiculously low 7.1 yards per attempt average at Washington State is more representative of his all-or-nothing approach.

Throwing with anticipation often will come from understanding defenses better pre-snap. Effectively recognizing coverage caps will be easier as he gains experience in a new, more pro-style scheme. How Ward approaches this challenge to learn and adapt throughout the season will be a huge question for NFL evaluators.

If Ward's work ethic or developmental curve isn't sharp, his play will directly reflect his limitations or unwillingness to evolve. The difference in his draft stock can swing from being a projected Day 3 pick like this past class and possibly the first overall choice in 2025.

That's how much is on the line in 2024.

Almost all of Ward's negative plays look like the two above. His base gets wide, he waits too long, and the window for a positive outcome is all but erased. Everything must get cleaner and quicker; that only comes through pointed repetitions that build confidence. 

Expectations will be high for Ward because he can do more than his peers. 

Tags: NFL Draft

Ian Valentino

Ian Valentino is an NFL and NFL draft contributor for The 33rd Team. He has covered all aspects of the NFL since 2013. He's previously provided scouting services to the NFL, XFL and CFL. He also has written for Bleacher Report, Complex Sports and Pro Football Network.

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