MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 10: Cameron Ward #1 of the Washington State Cougars before the snap against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Cameron Ward Reminds Former NFL Scout of Jalen Hurts

May 23, 2023 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

Reading Time: 4 minutes

GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 12: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Those are some BIG words to put on Washington State quarterback (QB) Cameron Ward, but that’s what an entire day of game film study revealed.

Impressive.

That’s the one word that best summarizes Ward.

He has a maturity and confidence about him that comes out in his body language as he’s directing and encouraging teammates around him.

This Washington State QB also shows NFL level throwing mechanics.

Incarnate Word

One of the first things that jumped out at me was just how comfortable Ward looked leading the offense early on after transferring to Washington State from Incarnate Word.

He didn’t bat an eye going from the FCS to the FBS.

It wasn’t just against unranked opponents either…

Ward looked like he belonged against ranked teams USC (6), Washington (13), Utah (14), and Wisconsin (19).

This bolds well with Ward making the jump to the NFL.

Playmaking ability

Ward wasn’t just out there looking like he was learning the ropes either.

This Washington State QB is a playmaker with playmaking instincts.

He was running around making advanced-level throwing decisions and off-platform throws despite playing in an offense built on the quick short passing game (which he is really efficient operating in).

Efficient with playmaking ability.

…wait, there’s more.

Creating and extending

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: A detailed view of the Nike “Vipor” football cleats worn by Cameron Ward #1 of the Washington State Cougars during pregame warm-ups prior to playing the Stanford Cardinal in an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 05, 2022, in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This is one of the things that got Alabama QB Bryce Young drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

His ability to create and extend plays with his feet.

Ward has this in common with Young…

He also has a strong enough arm that he doesn’t need to set his feet to throw accurately on the move either inside or outside of the pocket on the move.

Ward has some serious escapability from the pocket and he can run.

NFL qualities

The number one question I ask myself when I’m projecting college prospects to the NFL is, “Does what I’m watching translate to success in the NFL?”

With Ward, the answer is a resounding YES!

Why?

– Seen going through his progressions

– good downfield ball placement

– protects the ball

– Delivering clutch plays in big moments

Day one value

In a league that has esteemed raw and under-developed QB prospects like Trey Lance and Anthony Richardson, there is no question Ward is a first-round prospect.

What Ward has put on tape is lightyears ahead of what Lance (2021 No. 3) and Richardson (2023 No. 4) put on their college game film.

Currently, not many in the NFL Draft Community are seeing it with Ward, but that doesn’t mean anything, because they didn’t see it with Hurts either when only 6.0% put a first-round grade on him before the Eagles made the pick.

Currently Washington State QB Cameron Ward is flying under the radar in the NFL Draft Community. pic.twitter.com/ePHhfPdMKk
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) May 23, 2023

#1 Cameron Ward 6-foot-2, 220 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Spring 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 1.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 23, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: USC, Wisconsin, Fresno State, Washington, and Utah (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 320/497 (64.4%), 3231 yards, 23 TD, 9 INT, 46 sacks, long-60

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic and accurate NFL-ready dual threat with high football IQ. Poised. Extremely Calculated. Strong leadership qualities. Feels like he has the offense under control. Good play-action. Makes quick and decisive decisions in the short passing game. Has the arm to get it downfield. Does tend to pat the ball pre-delivery. Biggest knock takes too many sacks. Eats sacks opposed to taking wild chances (8 defended passes in these 5 games). Looked more and more comfortable as the season progressed pushing the ball downfield. Gets fired up. Legit runner who runs like he means it, but a passer first.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Does he pick up where he left off?

2. Sack total?

3. Patting ball pre-delivery?

4. Increase in intermediate to deep throwing attempts?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.