Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is emerging as one of the top candidates for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ward has a clear message for any team that overlooks him: he intends to make them regret their decision throughout the rest of his career.
Speaking while accepting the prestigious Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s best college quarterback, Ward reflected on his draft prospects and his confidence in his abilities. With his compelling statement, Ward aims to remind teams that passing on him could prove costly down the line.
Cam Ward Defends Pop-Tarts Bowl Decision, Demonstrates Leadership and Confidence for NFL Draft
One point of contention surrounding Ward’s draft prospects is his decision to sit out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl in December, despite having set the NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes in the first half. Ward defended this decision, stating it was part of a pre-arranged plan that allowed the team to focus on what they needed for the future while protecting his own career interests.
Cam Ward (NFL)While some teammates missed the game due to future considerations, Ward emphasized that the decision was made for the good of both the team and himself.
While Ward’s absence from the second half of a bowl game may not heavily impact how NFL teams rank him on their draft boards, his confident responses to questions about the decision reflect strong leadership qualities.
NFL analysts, such as Daniel Jeremiah, are taking note of Ward’s assertiveness, which could play a key role in how teams assess his readiness to lead at the professional level. Ward’s leadership and conviction are likely to factor into how teams view him, especially in the context of their need for a franchise quarterback.
Cam Ward’s Draft Stock Rises as Top Quarterback, Inspiring Confidence and Motivation for Success
Ward’s draft stock is climbing as teams desperately seek quality quarterbacks. According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Ward is ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he is the top-rated quarterback, ahead of players like Shedeur Sanders of Colorado. Given the growing demand for quarterbacks across the league, Ward is widely expected to be drafted in the top five, with the possibility of being selected first overall by teams like Tennessee or those willing to trade up to secure him.
Ward also cited the success of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels as a source of motivation for himself and other quarterbacks entering the draft. Daniels, who became a standout in his rookie year, proves that immediate success is possible for first-year quarterbacks, regardless of where they are drafted.
Ward pointed out that both Daniels and previous Offensive Rookie of the Year winners, like C.J. Stroud, were not selected as the first overall pick or the top quarterback in their draft classes, further fueling his confidence and determination to succeed at the next level.
