Heisman Trophy Candidate: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (Transfer)

Poetically, the pictures that go along with my word picture of University of Miami (FL) QB transfer Cameron Ward are from his games at Washington State last season.

That’s because that’s where he last played college ball and that’s what this evaluation is based on.

However, since Ward took his last snap for Washington State on Nov. 25 against Washington ⎯things have taken some interesting twists and turns.

Ward declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Jan. 1, only to change his mind 12 days later and instead transfer to Miami.

What happened?

“Ever since I declared, I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep,” Ward told 247Sports. “It’s always been in the back of mind, creeping up there. I feel like it’s a win-win situation. I can go (to Miami) behind a great head coach, great offensive coordinator in a great offense, I feel like I can improve my stock even more. There were a lot of things coming into the picture. But I love playing college football, and I feel like there’s just more left on the table for me.”

Background

Ward is the definition of a self-made college football player and he’s taken the path less traveled. He was a zero-star recruit out of West Columbia, Texas with one college offer leaving high school in 2020.

That offer was from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW).

He spent two years there honing his craft throwing for 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns before transferring to Washington State for another two-year stop throwing for another 6,966 yards and 48 touchdowns (espn.com) maintaining a similar level of production despite going up to a higher level of competition in the FBS (Washington State) vs. Incarnate Word (FCS).

Yanish Report

Solid, thick, athletic build. Body and skeletal configuration make for slick and smooth movements while scrambling. Excellent footwork and lower body mechanics solidify his throwing base. Needs a quicker clock inside, 1-2 RELEASE! Takes too many sacks (2023: 38). Swims through the pocket well, always keeping eyes downfield, holding his QB responsibilities until the last moment. His waist and hip torque movements are textbook technique. Not consistent with progressions. Scattered progressions; looking back at times (undisciplined playground snaps). Quick, compact release. Occasionally, locks in with receivers. Capable of dropping dimes at the short to intermediate routes. Will force throws. Great work ethic. Pro-like pocket presence. Ice-cold, doesn’t get rattled. Student of the game. Experienced. Poised.

For the win

This is a prospect who worked his way through the ranks after Incarnate Word University let him squeeze his foot in the door. The rest will turn real as he walks onto that field at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.

One of the best things Ward decided was to go back to school.

Throughout the 2024 season, he will have the opportunity to set his feet and correct what needs to be corrected.

Ward needs to take that final step to become an elite college QB.

The tools are there, and the desire is there. The switch from the PAC-12 to the ACC might not seem like much of a climb at the competition level, but it should put him with more attention at the national level. I want to see him come out of the gate strong in the the 2024 season. There is not much standing in his way to be one of the top, if not the top QB taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.

My BIG three questions

1. Will Miami get him enough of a supporting cast, so he doesn’t have to do it on his own?

2. Can he clean up bad habits, such as holding on to the ball too long?

3. How will he look in the ACC?

My 2025 NFL Draft Value: First Round (Late)

2023 Game film evidence Washington State (Jersey No. 1)

Oregon State

Arizona

Wisconsin

Northern Colorado

Oregon

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.