In Fort Worth, Texas, Cam Ward finds himself at a crossroads, unsure if he’ll participate in throwing drills at the upcoming NFL combine. However, he’s crystal clear on how he’ll respond if scouts query whether he abandoned the Miami Hurricanes by stepping away before the end of his last game with them.
“If you’re thinking of drafting me, great, and if not, that’s your choice,” Ward remarked on Monday evening while accepting the Davey O’Brien Award, recognizing him as the nation’s premier college quarterback. “But remember, you’ll be facing me on the field for the rest of my career, and I won’t forget that,” he quipped.
Ward faced a storm of online backlash after he sat out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where Miami suffered a narrow 42-41 defeat to Iowa State in December. Despite this, he made history by breaking the NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes before the halftime whistle.
The quarterback, who is widely regarded as a potential top pick in April’s NFL draft, clarified that his decision to sit out the latter part of the bowl game was jointly agreed upon by him and the coaching staff well in advance.
Reflecting on the situation, Ward explained, “We got the insights we needed from that game. The coaches identified areas they want to improve on for the next season, and they were aware of what was at stake for me,” he elaborated. “We believed it was the right move for both the program and myself. It wasn’t an easy call, especially seeing some teammates sit out who I felt should have played. But they were weighing their futures just like I was.”
Defending Ward, Miami’s coach Mario Cristobal previously dismissed the speculation of Ward quitting as unfounded. Last month, he labeled such claims as “a false narrative.”
Ward stood firm on his decision Monday, stating, “I’d make the same choice again, though naturally, I wish we’d clinched the win. If we had, no one would have criticized. That’s just how it is. You have to accept it and move forward.”
In the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Ward electrified with three touchdown passes, amassing 190 yards to put Miami ahead 31-28 by halftime. With that performance, he clinched the Division I record at 156 touchdowns, surpassing Houston’s Case Keenum. Miami turned to Emory Williams for quarterback duties in the latter half and has since brought in former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck as a transfer.
Ward concluded his college saga with 158 touchdown passes, and his staggering 18,189 passing yards — accrued at Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami — rank third in NCAA history, trailing only Keenum and Dillon Gabriel. In his sole season with Miami, he shattered school records for yards, completions, touchdowns, and completion rate.
Looking ahead, Ward remains undecided on his combine plans in Indianapolis but intends to showcase his skills at Miami’s pro day.
Receiving the Davey O’Brien Award comes shortly after Ward secured the Manning Award, following in the footsteps of Jayden Daniels. Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, previously garnered both accolades and went on to become the No. 2 draft pick, subsequently steering the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game.
“Watching his success,” Ward said of Daniels, “is inspiring not just for me but for every young quarterback striving for greatness.”
