Cam Ward (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cam Ward
| image = 2025 Tennessee Titans Post-draft Press Conference Cam Ward (cropped).png
| alt =
| caption = Ward with the Tennessee Titans in 2025
| current_team = Tennessee Titans
| number = 1
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|5|25|mf=y}}
| birth_place = West Columbia, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 219
| high_school = Columbia {{nowrap|(West Columbia)}}
| college = {{ubl
| Incarnate Word (2020–2021)
| Washington State (2022–2023)
| Miami (FL) (2024)}}
| draftyear = 2025
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 1
| pastteams =
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Unsigned draft pick
| highlights =
- Davey O'Brien Award (2024)
- Manning Award (2024)
- ACC Player of the Year (2024)
- Consensus All-American (2024)
- First-team All-ACC (2024)
- SLC Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
- Jerry Rice Award (2020)
- SLC Freshman of the Year (2020)
- Second-team All-SLC (2021)
- Third-team All-SLC (2020)
| statseason = 2025
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Passing attempts
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 = Passing completions
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 =
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Passing yards
| statvalue5 =
| statlabel6 = Passer rating
| statvalue6 =
| statlabel7 = Rushing yards
| statvalue7 =
| statlabel8 = Rushing TDs
| statvalue8 =
| pfr = WardCa00
}}
Cameron Anthony Ward (born May 25, 2002) is an American professional football quarterback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Incarnate Word Cardinals, Washington State Cougars, and Miami Hurricanes, winning the 2020 Jerry Rice Award with Incarnate Word and the 2024 Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards with Miami. Ward was selected by the Titans first overall in the 2025 NFL draft, becoming the first Zero-star recruit to go number one overall in the 21st century.{{cite web | last=Hughes | first=Grant | title=Cam Ward poised to become first zero-star recruit to go No. 1 in NFL Draft this millennium | website=247Sports | date=2025-04-20 | url=https://247sports.com/college/miami/article/cam-ward-poised-to-become-first-zerostar-recruit-to-go-no-1-in-nfl-draft-this-millennium-249035516/ | access-date=2025-04-29}}
Early life
Cameron Anthony Ward was born on May 25, 2002, in West Columbia, Texas.{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/cam_ward-quarterback-oHdiwL239lLeDOQ8/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times }} His father, Calvin Ward, played football, and his mother, Patrice Ward, coached high school basketball for nearly 25 years.McPherson, Jordan (August 19, 2024). [https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article291110805.html Cam Ward’s football journey has been a family affair.] Miami Herald. Retrieved April 24, 2025. He has three siblings. He attended Columbia High School and played basketball and football. In his junior year, he completed 72 of 124 passes for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns for the Columbia football team.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/colleges/utsa/article/UIW-s-Cam-Ward-stands-out-through-16151568.php|title=UIW's Cam Ward stands out through 'remarkable' transition to earn Jerry Rice Award|first=Greg|last=Luca|work=San Antonio Express-News|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}} As a senior, Ward averaged only 12 pass attempts per game due to playing in Columbia's Wing T offense.{{Cite web |last=Talty |first=John |date=2024-09-03 |title=Beating Florida was huge, but getting Cameron Ward over Florida State is Miami's biggest in-state win in 2024 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/beating-florida-was-huge-but-getting-cameron-ward-over-florida-state-is-miamis-biggest-in-state-win-in-2024/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} He committed to play at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, his only scholarship offer for that season.{{cite web |last=Olson |first=Max |date=January 26, 2022 |title=The rise of a quarterback enigma: Cameron Ward's journey from zero-star prospect to FCS to Washington State |url=https://theathletic.com/3092602/2022/01/26/the-rise-of-a-quarterback-enigma-cameron-wards-journey-from-zero-star-prospect-to-fcs-to-washington-state/ |access-date=January 31, 2022 |website=The Athletic}}{{Cite web |last=Springgate |first=Scout |date=July 31, 2024 |title=Cam Ward Reveals Why He Entered College Football Transfer Portal |url=https://athlonsports.com/college/miami-fl-hurricanes/college-football-star-cam-ward-reveals-transfer-portal-reasoning# |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=athlonsports.com}}
College career
= Incarnate Word (2020–2021) =
Ward began his collegiate career at Incarnate Word. He was named the Cardinals' starting quarterback going into his freshman season, which was played in the spring after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Luca |first=Greg |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Freshman QB Cameron Ward used fall workouts to emerge as UIW's spring starter |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/colleges/utsa/article/Freshman-QB-Cameron-Ward-used-fall-workouts-to-16039847.php |access-date=March 19, 2021 |website=expressnews.com}}
He passed for 2,260 yards and an FCS-leading 24 touchdowns against four interceptions with two rushing touchdowns in six games during the shortened 2020–21 FCS season, and won the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/uiw-freshman-qb-ward-wins-170351753.html|title=UIW Freshman QB Ward Wins 2020–21 Jerry Rice Award|website=Yahoo Sports|publisher=Associated Press|date=May 3, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}} Ward passed for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns with 10 interceptions as a sophomore and was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32831441/incarnate-word-qb-cameron-ward-enters-college-football-transfer-portal|title=Incarnate Word QB Cameron Ward enters college football transfer portal|first=Dave|last=Wilson|website=ESPN.com|date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}} After the end of the season Ward announced that he would be entering the NCAA transfer portal.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/local-colleges/article/Eric-Morris-Cam-Ward-depart-but-UIW-still-hoping-16689518.php|title=As Eric Morris departs and Cam Ward mulls transfer, Incarnate Word still hopes to build momentum|first=Greg|last=Luca|work=San Antonio Express-News|date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}}
= Washington State (2022–2023) =
Ward announced his commitment to transfer to Washington State on January 10, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33037950/incarnate-word-qb-cameron-ward-transferring-washington-state|title=Incarnate Word QB Cameron Ward transferring to Washington State|first=Dave|last=Wilson|website=ESPN.com|date=January 10, 2022|access-date=January 11, 2022}} He enrolled at the school for the second semester of his sophomore year and was named the starting quarterback for the 2022 season during the Cougars' spring practices.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Colton |date=March 26, 2022 |title='He's gotta be our engine that starts the car': Cameron Ward is key in Washington State's new, 'quarterback-driven' offense |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/mar/26/hes-gotta-be-our-engine-that-starts-the-car-camero/ |access-date=September 7, 2022 |website=The Spokesman-Review}} Ward completed 64.4% of his passes for 3,231 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also rushed for five touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Greg |date=July 22, 2023 |title=What's the next step in WSU QB Cameron Ward's development? He says it's twofold |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/whats-the-next-step-in-wsu-qb-cameron-wards-development-he-says-its-twofold/ |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times}} Ward entered the transfer portal on December 1, 2023.{{cite web | title=2024 College Football Transfer Portal | website=247Sports | date=2024-08-28 | url=https://247sports.com/season/2024-football/transferportal/?positionkey=57 | access-date=2024-10-21}} He graduated from WSU during their December commencement.
= Miami (2024) =
file:FB-Miami-IowaSt-Ward-Pop-Tarts.jpg in 2024.]]
He initially declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season but later decided to use his remaining eligibility to transfer to Miami for the 2024 season.{{cite web | title=QB Cameron Ward commits to Miami after declaring for NFL Draft | work=FOX Sports | date=2024-01-13 | url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/qb-cameron-ward-commits-to-miami-after-declaring-for-nfl-draft#:~:text=QB%20Cameron%20Ward%20commits%20to%20Miami%20after%20declaring%20for%20NFL%20Draft,-Updated%20Jan.&text=Washington%20State%20quarterback%20Cameron%20Ward,was%20entering%20the%20NFL%20Draft. | access-date=2024-12-10}} This decision was influenced by the opportunity to improve his draft stock and take advantage of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules in college football.{{Cite web |title=Cam Ward Quarterback Miami {{!}} NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report |url=https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Cameron-Ward-QB-IncarnateWord |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=www.nfldraftbuzz.com}} Ward announced his commitment to transfer to Miami on January 13, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Baumgartner |first1=Blake |title=Cam Ward, the ex-Washington State QB, heading to Miami |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39302544/cam-ward-ex-washington-state-qb-heading-miami |website=ESPN |access-date=January 15, 2024 |date=January 13, 2024 }} During the 2024 season, Ward led Miami to a 10–2 record.{{Cite web |title=2024 Miami (FL) Hurricanes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/miami-fl/2024-schedule.html |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} Miami lost a close shootout at Syracuse during the final week of the season with a final score of 42–38. The loss eliminated Miami from the ACC Championship Game, allowing Clemson, to make it into the conference championship game instead.{{cite web | last=Frank | first=Mark | title=Syracuse knocks No. 6 Miami out of ACC title game and possibly the playoff with 42-38 win | website=AP News | date=2024-12-01 | url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-syracuse-football-score-44b4b0b41e10fde31944ee108d896f77 | access-date=2025-04-29}} Clemson later went on to beat SMU in the conference championship game 34–31, and clinched a playoff berth doing so. Miami finished 13th in the final CFP rankings, and they were the second team out of the playoffs, just behind Alabama.{{cite web | title='Quite a debate': Alabama, Miami first teams out of CFP field | website=Reuters | date=2024-12-09 | url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/quite-debate-alabama-miami-first-teams-out-cfp-field-2024-12-09/ | access-date=2025-04-29}} Ward was named the ACC Player of the Year,{{cite web |last1=Sandle |first1=Justice |title=Cam Ward Named ACC and Offensive Player of the Year |url=https://www.si.com/college/miami/football/cam-ward-named-acc-and-offensive-player-of-the-year-01je9s8vwqag |website=SI.com |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=December 4, 2024}} voted the Davey O'Brien and Manning Award winner as the top college football quarterback,{{cite web |title=Miami’s Ward Wins 2024 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award |url=https://theacc.com/news/2024/12/13/football-miamis-ward-wins-2024-davey-o-brien-national-quarterback-award.aspx |website=TheACC.com |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=December 12, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Sandle |first1=Justice |title=Cam Ward Named 2024 Manning Award Winner |url=https://www.si.com/college/miami/football/cam-ward-named-2024-manning-award-winner-01jjq60gynyp |website=SI.com |access-date=February 3, 2025 |date=January 29, 2025}} and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Juston |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Miami's Cam Ward finished fourth in Heisman voting. Why he lost out to Travis Hunter |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/college/hurricanes/2024/12/14/heisman-trophy-miami-hurricanes-cam-ward-fourth-voting-travis-hunter/76948656007/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=Jacksonville Florida Times-Union}}
The Hurricanes matched up with the Iowa State Cyclones in the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl. Playing in just the first half, Ward threw for three touchdowns, setting the career combined FCS (71) and FBS (87) record with 158. He opted to not play in the second half, in which Miami was outscored by Iowa State, ultimately losing 42–41.{{cite web|last=Wolken|first=Dan|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/dan-wolken/2024/12/28/cam-ward-miami-sits-out-pop-tarts-bowl-second-half/77294425007/|title=Cam Ward sitting out the second half isn't the biggest sin. But it's a bad look for Miami|work=USA Today|date=December 28, 2024|accessdate=December 28, 2024}} Ward's decision received criticism from some commentators and fans who thought that he should have stuck through the game.{{cite web|last=De Lima|first=Matt|url=https://athlonsports.com/college/miami-fl-hurricanes/joel-klatt-strong-response-cam-ward-controversial-bowl-game-decision|title=Joel Klatt's Strong Response to Cam Ward's Controversial Bowl Game Decision|work=Athlon Sports|date=December 30, 2024|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ College statistics ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Incarnate Word
| 6 || 6 || 3–3 || 183 || 303 || 60.4 || 2,260 || 7.5 || 24 || 4 || 146.5 || 38 || 2 || 0.1 || 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Incarnate Word
| 13|| 13|| 10–3|| 384|| 590|| 65.1 || 4,648|| 7.9 || 47|| 10|| 154.2 || 74 || 65 || 0.9 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Washington State
| 13|| 13|| 7–6 || 320 || 497 || 64.4 || 3,231 || 6.5 || 23 || 9 || 130.6 || 107 || 58 || 0.5 || 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Washington State
| 12 || 12 || 5–7 || 323 || 485 || 66.6 || 3,735 || 7.7 || 25 || 7 || 145.4 || 120|| 144 || 1.2 || 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Miami
| 13 || 13 || 10–3 || 305 || 454 || 67.2 || 4,313 || 9.5 || 39 || 7 || 172.2 || 60 || 204 || 3.4 || 4 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/4688380/cameron-ward|title=Cameron Ward Career Stats|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 17, 2023}} | 57 | 57 | 35–22 | 1,515 | 2,329 | 65.0 | 18,137 | 7.8 | 158 | 37 | 149.9 | 402 | 469 | 1.2 | 20 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 5/8
| weight = 219
| arm span = 30 5/8
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Cam Ward Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cam-ward/32005741-5206-5305-364b-76c1f988f45e |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1052866&DraftYear=2025 |title=Cam Ward College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 2, 2025}}
}}
=2025=
{{See also|2025 Tennessee Titans season}}
Ward was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL draft.{{cite web | last=Wyatt | first=Jim | title=Titans Select Miami QB Cam Ward with First Pick in NFL Draft | website=TennesseeTitans.com | date=2025-04-25 | url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-select-miami-qb-cam-ward-with-first-pick-in-nfl-draft | access-date=2025-04-29}} Although his college jersey number, No. 1, was retired by the Titans in honor of Warren Moon, Moon granted permission for Ward to wear it during Ward's introductory press conference.{{cite news|last=Baca|first=Michael|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/hall-of-famer-warren-moon-permits-titans-top-pick-cam-ward-to-wear-retired-no-1-jersey|title=Hall of Famer Warren Moon permits Titans top pick Cam Ward to wear retired No. 1 jersey|website=NFL.com|publisher=National Football League|date=April 25, 2025|access-date=April 25, 2025}}
Personal life
Ward's younger maternal cousin is former Baylor Bears and current Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones.{{Cite web |last=Adelson |first=Andrea |date=2024-09-27 |title=Cam Ward and Kyron Drones are cousins and training partners. And now they're opponents. |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/41457997/cam-ward-miami-kyron-drones-virginia-tech |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Ward's older cousins are safety, Quandre Diggs, and retired cornerback, Quentin Jammer.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Colton |date=February 9, 2022 |title='I took a different route': New Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward bursts into spotlight after being overlooked |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/feb/09/i-took-a-different-route-new-washington-state-quar/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=The Spokesman-Review}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/my-cousin-cam-veteran-safety-quandre-diggs-thinks-cam-ward-titans-would-be-a-great-match|title=My Cousin Cam: Veteran Safety Quandre Diggs Thinks Cam Ward, Titans, Would be a Great Match|work=TennesseeTitans.com|date=April 9, 2025|accessdate=April 28, 2025|first=Jim|last=Wyatt}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category||Cam Ward}}
- [https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/players-roster/cameron-ward/ Tennessee Titans profile]
- [https://miamihurricanes.com/roster/cam-ward/ Miami Hurricanes profile]
- [https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/cameron-ward/11903 Washington State Cougars profile]
- [https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/cameron-ward/9164 Incarnate Word Cardinals profile]
{{Tennessee Titans roster navbox}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Cam}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:First overall NFL draft picks
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Category:Miami Hurricanes football players
Category:People from Lake Jackson, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Brazoria County, Texas