Why Cam Ward Will Be A Playmaker For The Miami Hurricanes

Breaking down Cam Ward's big-time talents

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Jan 13, 2024 8:13 PM EST

In this story:

From the time Washington State quarterback Cam Ward made his name available in the Transfer Portal, the Miami Hurricanes began to court him. He took a visit to Miami (Dec. 12) and then to Florida State (Dec. 14).

Of course, Ward made a statement that he would go to the NFL Draft as well. He never officially made that happen, and now he's heading to Coral Gables. So, what will Canes fans see with Ward in a Miami uniform?

In 2023, his numbers were 323 of 485, a 66.6% completion rate, 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Ward's 2022 season was just as productive, as he also went 320 of 497, a 64.4% completion rate, 3,231 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. However, he did not start his college football career with Washington State.

From West Columbia, Texas on the Gulf Coast, he's a prospect who's come up the ladder as a relative unknown. In fact, Ward's first college would be Incarnate Word, an FCS program. After the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he made the move to join the Cougars in the Pacific Northwest.

A major reason he ended up at Washington State would be the rare types of throws that Ward completes. Off-balance, running away from an intended target, and even being chased by a defensive lineman, Ward's ability to connect with his pass catchers is a trait that led him to this point of his career.

Ward changes arm angles when necessary, and he's just as at home making those throws as he would be on a standard check down to his running back.

Ward can sit in the pocket and use his big-time arm to make big plays happen down the field, too. According to Pro Football Focus, Ward's 2023 passing numbers include connecting on 12 of 21 passes down the left sideline, his favorite deep-ball pass.

Overall, Ward hit on 40.4% of his passes that traveled 20 or more yards, while adding to his overall passing statistics with 725 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. A make-it-happen playmaker, Ward's feet allow him to extend plays, just like the deep ball mentioned above.

He's not a runner by trade though. Yes, Ward can take off but he usually looks to throw the football instead of tucking it and running.

Fitting into Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's offense will be interesting. He's coached former mobile quarterbacks like former South Florida talent Geno Smith while he was a West Virginia Mountaineer, a signal-caller who threw for 4,198 yards and 42 touchdowns in 20212.

Dawson's time at Houston is a prime reason that Clayton Tune is one of college football's all-time leading passers with 104 touchdowns. Fittingly, each of Smith and Tune are athletic yet still usually prefer to extend a play and make a pass. That's the definition of how Ward performs.

When adding up Ward's talent, experience, and fit with Miami's offense, he will be a true playmaker for the Canes.