The One Trait NFL Scouts Will Love Most About Cam Ward
There's no such thing as the perfect quarterback prospect.
Even the most highly touted passers in recent memory (Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning) had their flaws, and the top prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft will be no exception.
Miami's Cam Ward looks like the early front-runner for the QB1 spot in the 2025 class, as his dominant play throughout the season has him contending for the Heisman Trophy.
A zero-star recruit who got no major offers coming out of high school, Ward put up video-game numbers at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State and continuing his impressive production. After initially declaring for the 2024 draft, Ward instead opted at the last minute to transfer to Miami and play one more year at the college level, hoping to improve his draft stock.
Cam Ward has put up huge numbers at every stop throughout his collegiate career.
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He's definitely succeeded in that mission, emerging as the kind of dynamic playmaker who makes the Hurricanes must-see TV on their way to an undefeated season up to this point.
That zero in the loss column hasn't been easy to maintain, though.
Ward and the Canes have survived a handful of close calls this season, needing dramatic second-half comebacks on multiple occasions to maintain their spotless record. Those come-from-behind victories have been stressful for Miami fans, but they've also illuminated Ward's most valuable trait when it comes to projecting his value at the next level.
Yes, Ward has a long list of impressive skills that are sure to impress NFL decision-makers. He's got rare playmaking instincts, elusiveness to create extra time inside and outside of the pocket, and enough arm talent to make every throw to all levels of the field.
Ward's ability to deliver in the clutch and lead second-half comebacks will be valuable to NFL teams.
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But the one thing that will stand out above everything else is his complete and utter refusal to lose.
Ward is the kind of unflappable presence at the game's most important position who inspires confidence in his teammates, regardless of what the scoreboard says at any given moment. He's had to put that ability to the test multiple times this season, and he's come through on every occasion.
One week after a "Hail Mary" in the final moments to beat Virginia Tech, the Canes trailed Cal by 20 points in the fourth quarter. Ward accounted for three straight touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), tossing the game-winner with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock.
Ward's resolve was tested again Saturday, as the Canes trailed Duke by double digits in the third quarter. They hit another gear, though, finding the end zone five times to pull away, with three of those touchdowns coming from Ward. He finished the day with 400 yards and five scores through the air.
There will be plenty of holes to poke in Ward's game throughout the predraft process. He still has a tendency to take the "hero ball" thing to far sometimes, trusting too much in his arm strength to fit throws into tight windows where the ball doesn't belong. That consistency and decision-making will be key to his ability to be a successful starter in the NFL.
But the pros easily outweigh the cons in his game, and he's proven he can adjust to his level of competition at every level and still be successful playing his game.
There are plenty of things Ward will be more concerned with this year before he spends any time worried about what NFL scouts think come draft season. But every week, he continues to prove he has that rare and elusive "it" factor that all the great quarterbacks possess. It's something you can't teach, and it's what will have every QB-needy team in the NFL clamoring to make him the face of their franchise come next April.
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