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Editor’s word: This tale at the beginning printed after Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft.
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Cam Ward able to take his game-changing ability to the Titans
Check out highlights from Miami QB Cam Ward after being drafted by means of the Titans within the 2025 NFL draft.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Cam Ward approached NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on draft night time, he flashed a assured smile befitting somebody who had crushed the percentages after beginning his collegiate occupation at a faculty that is by no means had a participant drafted to the NFL.
Yes, Ward performed his ultimate school season at Miami, however his early collegiate days started in entrance of 6,000 other people on recreation days as a freshman at Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Still, the zero-star highschool prospect by no means lacked self-belief in spite of Incarnate Word being his lone be offering.
“I’ve had the dream since I was a little kid,” Ward stated after being decided on. “I had bigger aspirations than being just a draft pick. I just think I just wanted it more. I have a true love for the game of football and believe if you put in hard work with God on your side, a lot of stuff can take care of itself.”
After two transfers and 5 school seasons, Ward in any case noticed his lifelong targets come to fruition Thursday when the Tennessee Titans made him the No. 1 choose of the 2025 NFL draft. Ward, 22, to start with declared for the 2024 draft however reversed his determination upon getting comments that he can be a midround choose, which handiest fueled him extra. Over the previous yr, he channeled his frustration and embraced who he’s, so in that second Thursday night time, status subsequent to Goodell and maintaining up a Titans jersey, he used to be the place he at all times used to be meant to be.
Ward handed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns ultimate season — each Miami single-season data. He additionally gained the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the country’s best quarterback, and completed fourth in balloting for the Heisman Trophy.
Now, the Titans are banking on Ward’s playmaking talent and management to be their subsequent franchise quarterback. Tennessee’s perception in Ward used to be robust sufficient to show down a industry be offering from the New York Giants that integrated the No. 3 choose this yr, a first-round variety in 2026 and a couple of different choices, in step with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“I just think if you identify a franchise quarterback, there’s really not a price that you can pay for that,” Titans normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi stated. “That’s the most important position in all of sports. He’s a young quarterback and he still has a lot of things to work on, but I think the intangibles with him, his work ethic, his want to become better, we felt comfortable with that.”
WARD PREDICTED HIS long run luck when he graduated from Columbia High School in West Columbia, Texas. Despite averaging 12 cross makes an attempt according to recreation from a wing-T offense in highschool, Ward believed he will be the beginning quarterback as a freshman at Incarnate Word even if incumbent starter Jon Copeland had simply set a single-season program passing file with 3,341 yards in 2019.
“All I needed was a chance to play in a quarterback-driven system,” Ward stated on the NFL mix in February.
That’s the place trainer Eric Morris’ high-flying offense got here into play. Ward handed for 2,260 yards and an FCS-leading 24 touchdowns in six video games all the way through the COVID-shortened season. He additionally gained the Jerry Rice Award — given to probably the most exceptional FCS freshman.
“He’s always had confidence, a natural chip on his shoulder,” stated Ward’s cousin, Quandre Diggs, who performed protection for the Titans ultimate season. “It’s because he works hard. You could see that since when he was young.”
While at Incarnate Word, Ward used to be offered to private quarterback trainer Darrell Colbert Jr., a former quarterback at SMU and Lamar University. Colbert’s paintings with Ward’s cousin, Kyron Drones — who performs quarterback at Virginia Tech — stood out to Ward’s father, Calvin, so Calvin sought Colbert’s services and products to assist Ward take his recreation to the following degree.
Colbert turned into Ward’s non-public quarterback trainer after his freshman season, and they have labored in combination ever since.
“He’s helped me stay on track to where I wanted to be football-wise,” Ward stated on the mix. “He’s taught me to win from the pocket.”
After two seasons at Incarnate Word, Ward transferred to Washington State to practice Morris, who used to be named offensive coordinator for the Cougars. Over his two-year occupation at WSU, Ward finished 65.5% of his passes for 6,698 yards and 48 touchdowns and he used to be an honorable point out for the All-Pac-12 staff in 2022 and 2023.
“This is a kid who, since I’ve known him, has always believed that he would be in this situation,” Colbert advised ESPN.
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, Ward ended up at Miami over faculties like Florida State, which ended up getting a dedication from DJ Uiagalelei. Ward consulted along with his oldsters and an agent whilst being closely recruited by means of Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Ward’s presence used to be felt straight away — serving to raise Miami to its first 10-win season since 2017.
Miami’s 39-38 come-from-behind win at Cal in Week 6 used to be considered one of Ward’s defining moments. Down 21-10, Miami’s protection pressured Cal to punt at the first sequence after halftime. When Miami took over on offense, Cal defensive again Nohl Williams picked Ward off and returned it 40 yards for a landing.
Cal pressured Ward and the Hurricane’s offense to punt at the subsequent sequence then drove 80 yards to the tip zone in 5 performs to make the ranking 35-10 with simply over two mins left within the 3rd quarter.
“We played Cal and I had some bad plays,” Ward stated. “But I was able to get back on track and make some plays in the second half to win the game.”
Despite the pick-six, Ward by no means wavered. He advised his teammates they could not ranking 25 issues on one pressure, in order that they had to take it play-by-play. They put in combination 3 consecutive landing drives, each and every protecting no less than 70 yards to tug Miami inside of one ranking.
Miami took over at its 8-yard line with 1:28 to move. On the primary play, Ward flippantly hung within the pocket and located vast receiver Xavier Restrepo in the course of the sphere for a 77-yard crowning glory. Ward attached with tight finish Elijah Arroyo a couple of performs later for the go-ahead landing. Miami’s scoring pressure lined 92 yards and left 26 seconds at the clock.
“He’s just a super confident human being,” Restrepo advised ESPN. “That’s such a super important characteristic as a quarterback. I’ve never seen somebody come inside of a building and change it the way he has.”
Ward used to be regarded as the consensus best QB prospect in step with ESPN’s draft analysts when the mud settled from the season, however there have been nonetheless blended emotions relating to him and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders amongst scouts. But Ward shared a public message to groups.
“If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault,” Ward stated. “You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.”
During Miami’s professional day, Ward rolled out to his left and introduced a cross over 50 yards down the sphere into the ready palms of Restrepo. Titans staff president Chad Brinker and Borgonzi came about to be at the sideline that Ward rolled out to.
“I’m solidifying it today,” Ward stated to Brinker and Borgonzi.
“It was a cool moment,” Brinker stated. “Cam, he’s confident. But I wouldn’t say he’s cocky. There’s a fine line between the two and he carries himself the right way.”
“You can feel the confidence,” Borgonzi stated after deciding on Ward. “It is not cocky or arrogant, but there’s a confidence there that you need to have as a player and a quarterback.”
After averaging handiest 18.3 issues ultimate season, the Titans will lean on Ward to guide an offensive resurgence below trainer Brian Callahan. Last yr’s quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph blended for 3,621 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
The Titans know their long run depends on having an improve on the place, however Ward should earn it off and on the sphere. It all begins with Ward having the ability to glance into the eyes of the 10 different guys within the huddle and lead them to consider he is the one that can flip issues round.
Ward admitted on the mix he is not a “rah-rah” form of participant. He as a substitute pointed to his self-motivation and self belief as belongings to his lead by means of instance means. Ward believes the novel trail he is traveled is one thing no different participant can carry to a franchise.
“It’s the leadership ability and the way he’s able to make those around him better,” Callahan stated. “There are a lot of guys that can play the position, but the guys that transcend have a unique ability to connect with their teammates and then raise the level of everyone around him. I think that’s what he has shown at every stop he’s been and hopefully that continues here.”
