Miami head coach Mario Cristobal's description of Cam Ward is exactly what NFL teams needed to hear
A large part of the NFL draft process isn't what happens on the field. While the games, results, and development we see playing out on Saturdays matter, a big chunk of evaluation still happens throughout the week. The character of a player ultimately matters as much as any other single piece of the puzzle. Miami […]
A large part of the NFL draft process isn't what happens on the field. While the games, results, and development we see playing out on Saturdays matter, a big chunk of evaluation still happens throughout the week. The character of a player ultimately matters as much as any other single piece of the puzzle.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is vying to be the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After transferring from Washington State to Miami this offseason, the dual-threat playmaker has seen substantial improvements in his game.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal talked to Kevin Clark of ESPN about Ward's character. This will be music to NFL teams' ears.
When asked what Cristobal would say to NFL personnel about Ward, he responded with a terrific endorsement of his quarterback.
"I've been lucky to be around some great players, but this guy, he is really one-of-one. His mindset is that of a linebacker who is trying to kick your ass on every single play. That's what he is. He's an alpha dog who wants to do nothing but win. He's completely disinterested in personal accolades. He wants to push people around them, he wants to make people better.
You know those super elite guys? One of the common traits they all have is they're just restless. They're always uncomfortable and make people around them uncomfortable in the right kind of way. Holds himself to a really high standard. Awesome leader, awesome human being."
Cristobal also hopes teams like that Ward came back to college in order to prove himself as a winner. Ward had the chance to enter the 2024 NFL Draft class as a mid-round pick, but he's always had the physical traits to be much better.
It was difficult to see Ward struggle with an inferior team at Washington State. While Ward was great against similar teams, he faded off hard against Pac-12 competition, and he drifted into creator mode over someone who could anticipate solutions to defensive advantages.
Producing a career-best in big-time throw rate, turnover-worthy throw rate, adjusted depth of target, pressure to sack rate, and passer rating, Ward is clearly in his own new comfort zone. This is the type of more efficient and impactful type of play that everyone had hoped Ward would achieve.
Now, with the season entering the pivotal stretch that will determine the ACC winner and, therefore, College Football Playoff seeding, Ward has a huge endorsement on his side. This is important, as there had been some rumblings in the past about his commitment to football earlier in his career.
But the results of his efforts have shown that those concerns were either from a scorned staffer or an immature Ward who was still finding his own path. With every other quarterback in the class lacking the complete physical traits package that Ward has, he has the leg up on his peers to be the top QB.
The question was his mental makeup and ability to improve as the NFL throws a million different challenges at him.
At least this was a terrific sign that Ward has what it takes to be a franchise star.
