FORT WORTH, Texas — Cam Ward, the standout quarterback, remains undecided about participating in the upcoming NFL combine next week. However, he does have a clear stance on addressing criticisms surrounding his decision not to finish his final game with the Miami Hurricanes.
“If you opt not to draft me, that’s your choice, and I’ll remember it,” Ward stated shortly before he was honored with the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s premier college quarterback. His confidence shines through as he notes that any team that passes on him will have to face him throughout his career.
Social media has been rife with negative commentary suggesting that Ward abandoned his teammates after not playing in the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where the Hurricanes suffered a narrow 42-41 defeat to Iowa State. Notably, he achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes before halftime in that game.
Ward, who is projected to be a top pick in the NFL draft this coming April, explained that his absence in the game’s second half was a collective decision made with the coaching staff. “We all benefited from it. The coaches noticed areas that needed attention for the upcoming season while being mindful of my situation,” he elaborated. “It was a difficult call, especially considering that I felt some players should have participated in the game.”
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has publicly stood by Ward, asserting that the allegations regarding him quitting are unfounded. In a recent statement, Ward iterated that he would make the same choice again if given the chance, although he expressed a desire for a victorious outcome in the game. “If we had won, nobody would have said anything. It often comes down to that, so you just have to take the criticism and keep moving forward,” he reflected.
In the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Ward began his impressive performance with three touchdown passes, amassing 190 yards in total and leading Miami to a 31-28 halftime advantage. He notably surpassed the previous record of 156 touchdown passes held by Houston’s Case Keenum. Following his departure from the game, Miami opted to utilize Emory Williams as quarterback and has since secured the transfer of Carson Beck from Georgia.
Ward concluded his college journey with 158 touchdown passes, and his impressive record of 18,189 passing yards—comprising 6,908 at Incarnate Word, 6,968 at Washington State, and 4,313 at Miami—places him third in NCAA history, trailing only Case Keenum and Dillon Gabriel. His solitary season with Miami saw him set multiple school records, including single-season tallies for yards, completions (305), touchdown passes (39), and a career completion percentage of 67.2%.
Regarding the NFL combine, Ward has not finalized his strategy for the event in Indianapolis; however, he does intend to demonstrate his skills at Miami’s pro day.
The O’Brien Award ceremony took place just weeks after Ward received the Manning Award. He has followed in the footsteps of Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner—who grabbed both honors prior to being selected as the second overall draft pick last year and leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game.
“Seeing his success is not only inspiring for me but also for all the other quarterbacks,” Ward stated fondly, reflecting on the pathway laid by his predecessor.
