For months, Cam Ward has been one of the most talked-about quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. His name is in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick, and his stats back up the hype.
Despite not being confirmed for the NFL Combine, Ward is making sure teams don’t forget him, and his latest comments show just how much confidence he has in his abilities and how he’s handling criticism.
Cam Ward Sends a Message to NFL Teams
Ward didn’t hold back when discussing his future in the league. The Miami quarterback, who won the Davey O’Brien Award on Monday night, made it clear he believes he’s the best option in the draft.
“OK, you’re either going to draft me or you’re not,” Ward told the Associated Press before receiving his award. “If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. 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.”
Ward’s words come in the middle of all the criticism that he quit on his team during the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He played only the first half, setting a new Division I career touchdown record before sitting out as Miami eventually lost to Iowa State after blowing a 10-point lead in the second half. Ward, however, stands by his decision.
“I wish we could have ended up winning the game,” he said. “If we had won the game, they wouldn’t have said anything. That’s just how it goes. You take it on the chin and keep pushing.”
Cristobal Sees Ward As the Best in the Draft
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is making sure NFL teams know what kind of player they’d be getting with Ward. He believes Ward should be the No. 1 overall pick and the face of a franchise.
“I think he should be drafted first overall because he’s the best competitor and the best overall player in the country,” Cristobal said in an interview with SportsCenter. “His competitiveness, his way of being, the way he affects the people around him, he’s second to none. He’s changed the profile of our university and elevated everyone around him.”
Ward had an incredible season at Miami, throwing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He also added 204 rushing yards and four more scores, bringing his total to 43 touchdowns. Those numbers scream elite athlete, and Cristobal sees it very clearly.
KEEP READING: Former NFL Scout Compares Cam Ward to $90M NFL Quarterback After Watching 2024 Film
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick, and their quarterback situation is uncertain. Ward could be the answer for a franchise looking for a long-term leader. Whether he goes first or not, Ward has made it clear—any team that passes on him might regret it for years to come.
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