Expert's ranking of Cameron Ward's accuracy should set off alarm bells despite No. 1 overall pick projections
The 2024 season went almost as well as it could for Miami quarterback Cameron Ward. Transferring from Washington State to the Hurricanes provided Ward a bigger platform, better playmaking, and more exposure than every before. He responded to the opportunity with a season that has him as the favorite to be the top pick in […]
The 2024 season went almost as well as it could for Miami quarterback Cameron Ward. Transferring from Washington State to the Hurricanes provided Ward a bigger platform, better playmaking, and more exposure than every before. He responded to the opportunity with a season that has him as the favorite to be the top pick in this coming draft.
While Miami and Ward fell flat at the end of the season, he earned 4th place in the Heisman race and an All-American spot for good reason. The 2024 ACC Player of the Year tossed 39 touchdowns, completed 67.2% of his passes, and totaled 4,313 yards.
However, Ward's projection to the NFL isn't as easy as relying on his excellent arm and natural athleticism. I ranked Ward as the fourth-most accurate quarterback in this draft class, blending advanced analytics with my own charting and evaluation process.
He landed behind Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Will Howard.
Here's how I described Ward's game, despite projecting him to land No. 1 overall in my latest 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft.
"There's a lot to like about Cameron Ward, and it's understandable why he's become the heavy favorite to be selected No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft when you focus on his strengths. Much like Jordan Love, Ward plays with a zest that leads to huge chunk plays. Harnessing his immense physical strengths and balancing risky decision-making is his key to panning out.
That all said, precision and overall accuracy are not Ward's primary strengths. An aggressive thrower who believes in his ability to fit a ball into any window, there are far too many examples of Ward relying too much on his raw arm talent and failing to use touch or lead his man upfield.
The missed opportunities are more glaring because Ward can stay engaged and throw with clean mechanics whenever he wants.
A team will bank on Ward's ability to produce chunk plays and hope he has the discipline to master his accuracy. He's not the most naturally accurate player, but the tools are there for him to be much more nuanced with touch and maximize yards after the catch potential."
Ultimately, I understand why Tennessee will likely take Ward No. 1. As with Jordan Love, Ward makes so many chunk plays that it's easier to swallow the misses. Improvement takes time, and if Ward is a hard worker, he could harness those traits and improve what he's been knocked for.
