Top Transfer Portal Target Ward Chooses NFL Draft Over 'Seven-Figure' NIL Offers
Prior to entering college football's transfer portal last month, Washington State star quarterback Cameron Ward was at the top of a multitude of powerhouse programs' wish lists, with rumored NIL offers of seven figures.
However, with all things NIL and "reported" financials, perception isn't always reality. Ward - who was pursued by the likes of Miami, USC, Florida State, Nebraska and Ohio State, among others - officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on New Year's Day via a five-second video he posted on X and Instagram.
In late November, even before Ward entered the portal, FOX college football analyst Brock Huard shared that he heard the Wazzu signal caller had plenty of offers to move elsewhere.
“Let’s just say I heard from one source, and a pretty dialed in one, that Cam Ward has 10 seven-figure deals waiting for him," Huard said. "He has 10 different deals from around the country that will pay him seven figures to come be their quarterback.”
These rumored offers for Ward followed comments made by Nebraska coach Matt Rhule regarding the going rate for a transfer portal quarterback, taking NIL conversations even more mainstream when discussing potential destinations for transfers.
“Make no mistake: a good quarterback in the portal costs $1 million to $1.5 million to $2 million right now," Rhule said. "So just so we’re on the same page, right? Let’s make sure we all understand what’s happening. There are some teams that have $6-7 million players playing for them.”
So once Ward finally entered the portal, taking reported visits to Miami and Florida State, he weighed options for his final year of college eligibility versus taking his chances with a NFL paycheck.
Ward's father provided insight into the rumored NIL offers. “It would be accurate to say it was north of $1 million,” his dad Calvin told Cougfan.com.
With a stacked group of quarterbacks - including projected first-round picks Caleb Williams of USC, Drake Maye of North Carolina and Jayden Daniels of LSU - Ward will begin his Draft preparation now.
In his two seasons at Washington State, Ward threw for nearly 7,000 yards and 48 touchdowns.
