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{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{For|the ice hockey goaltender|Cam Ward (ice hockey)}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cam Ward
| name = Cam Ward

Revision as of 20:06, 11 June 2025

For the ice hockey goaltender, see Cam Ward (ice hockey).
Cam Ward
refer to caption
Ward with the Tennessee Titans in 2025
No. 1 – Tennessee Titans
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (2002-05-25) May 25, 2002 (age 23)
West Columbia, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Columbia (West Columbia)
College:
NFL draft:2025: 1st round, 1st pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

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.

Early life

Cameron Anthony Ward was born on May 25, 2002, in West Columbia, Texas.[1] His father, Calvin Ward, played football, and his mother, Patrice Ward, coached high school basketball for nearly 25 years.[2] He has three siblings.[2] He attended Columbia High School and played basketball and football.[2] In his junior year, he completed 72 of 124 passes for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns for the Columbia football team.[3] As a senior, Ward averaged only 12 pass attempts per game due to playing in Columbia's Wing T offense.[4] He threw for just 948 yards and 8 touchdowns during his last year in high school.[5] He committed to play at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, his only scholarship offer for that season.[6][7] Some FBS teams showed interest in Ward, but ultimately chose not to offer him a scholarship as they were already committed to their pursuit of higher-ranked quarterback prospects.[8] Due to the system Ward played under, few knew who he was; consequently, Ward entered college as a zero-star recruit or as an unknown and unlisted recruit on all major recruiting sites.[9][10]

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.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13] After the end of the season Ward announced that he would be entering the NCAA transfer portal.[14]

Washington State (2022–2023)

Ward announced his commitment to transfer to Washington State, where his Incarnate Word head Coach Eric Morris had just been hired as offensive coordinator, on January 10, 2022.[15] 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.[16] Ward completed 64.4% of his passes for 3,231 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also rushed for five touchdowns.[17] Ward entered the transfer portal on December 1, 2023.[18] He graduated from WSU during their December commencement.[19]

Miami (2024)

Ward with the Miami Hurricanes 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.[20] 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.[21] Ward announced his commitment to transfer to Miami on January 13, 2024.[22] During the 2024 season, Ward led Miami to a 10–2 record.[23] 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.[24] Miami finished 13th in the final CFP rankings, and they were the second team out of the playoffs.[25] Ward was named the ACC Player of the Year,[26] voted the Davey O'Brien and Manning Award winner as the top college football quarterback,[27][28] and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.[29]

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.[30] He opted to not play in the second half, in which Miami was outscored by Iowa State, ultimately losing 42–41.[30] Ward's decision received criticism from some commentators and fans who thought that he should have stuck through the game.[31]

Statistics

College statistics
Year Team Games Passing 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
Career[32] 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

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 1+5⁄8 in
(1.87 m) 		219 lb
(99 kg) 		30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[33][34]

2025

See also: 2025 Tennessee Titans season

Ward was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL draft, becoming the first zero-star recruit to be selected first overall in the 21st century.[35][36] Although his college uniform number 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.[37]

Personal life

Ward is a Christian.[38] His younger maternal cousin is former Baylor Bears and current Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones.[39] Ward's older cousins are safety Quandre Diggs and cornerback Quentin Jammer.[40][41]

References

  1. ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c McPherson, Jordan (August 19, 2024). Cam Ward's football journey has been a family affair. Miami Herald. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Luca, Greg (March 19, 2021). "UIW's Cam Ward stands out through 'remarkable' transition to earn Jerry Rice Award". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Talty, John (September 3, 2024). "Beating Florida was huge, but getting Cameron Ward over Florida State is Miami's biggest in-state win in 2024". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  5. ^ "From a zero-star recruit to the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Cam Ward keeps proving the doubters wrong". April 24, 2025. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Olson, Max (January 26, 2022). "The rise of a quarterback enigma: Cameron Ward's journey from zero-star prospect to FCS to Washington State". The Athletic. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  7. ^ Springgate, Scout (July 31, 2024). "Cam Ward Reveals Why He Entered College Football Transfer Portal". athlonsports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  8. ^ Howe, Jeff (April 26, 2025). "The rise of Cam Ward: From 'overweight' and overlooked to the likely No. 1 NFL Draft pick". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  9. ^ "Cam Ward, Columbia, Dual-Threat Quarterback". August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  10. ^ "From zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft? Why Cam Ward began career at Incarnate Word in Texas". CBSSports.com. April 24, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  11. ^ Luca, Greg (March 19, 2021). "Freshman QB Cameron Ward used fall workouts to emerge as UIW's spring starter". expressnews.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "UIW Freshman QB Ward Wins 2020–21 Jerry Rice Award". Yahoo Sports. Associated Press. May 3, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Wilson, Dave (December 9, 2021). "Incarnate Word QB Cameron Ward enters college football transfer portal". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Luca, Greg (December 9, 2021). "As Eric Morris departs and Cam Ward mulls transfer, Incarnate Word still hopes to build momentum". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  15. ^ Wilson, Dave (January 10, 2022). "Incarnate Word QB Cameron Ward transferring to Washington State". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  16. ^ Clark, Colton (March 26, 2022). "'He's gotta be our engine that starts the car': Cameron Ward is key in Washington State's new, 'quarterback-driven' offense". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  17. ^ Woods, Greg (July 22, 2023). "What's the next step in WSU QB Cameron Ward's development? He says it's twofold". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "2024 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports. August 28, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Londergan, Joe (April 25, 2025). "Ex-Washington State QB Cam Ward Selected First Overall in 2025 NFL Draft". SI.com. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "QB Cameron Ward commits to Miami after declaring for NFL Draft". FOX Sports. January 13, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "Cam Ward Quarterback Miami | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report". www.nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Baumgartner, Blake (January 13, 2024). "Cam Ward, the ex-Washington State QB, heading to Miami". ESPN. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  23. ^ "2024 Miami (FL) Hurricanes Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  24. ^ Frank, Mark (December 1, 2024). "Syracuse knocks No. 6 Miami out of ACC title game and possibly the playoff with 42-38 win". AP News. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  25. ^ "'Quite a debate': Alabama, Miami first teams out of CFP field". Reuters. December 9, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  26. ^ Sandle, Justice (December 4, 2024). "Cam Ward Named ACC and Offensive Player of the Year". SI.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  27. ^ "Miami's Ward Wins 2024 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award". TheACC.com. December 12, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  28. ^ Sandle, Justice (January 29, 2025). "Cam Ward Named 2024 Manning Award Winner". SI.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  29. ^ Lewis, Juston (December 14, 2024). "Miami's Cam Ward finished fourth in Heisman voting. Why he lost out to Travis Hunter". Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Wolken, Dan (December 28, 2024). "Cam Ward sitting out the second half isn't the biggest sin. But it's a bad look for Miami". USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  31. ^ De Lima, Matt (December 30, 2024). "Joel Klatt's Strong Response to Cam Ward's Controversial Bowl Game Decision". Athlon Sports. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "Cameron Ward Career Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  33. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Cam Ward Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  34. ^ "Cam Ward College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  35. ^ Wyatt, Jim (April 25, 2025). "Titans Select Miami QB Cam Ward with First Pick in NFL Draft". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  36. ^ Hughes, Grant (April 20, 2025). "Cam Ward poised to become first zero-star recruit to go No. 1 in NFL Draft this millennium". 247Sports. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  37. ^ Baca, Michael (April 25, 2025). "Hall of Famer Warren Moon permits Titans top pick Cam Ward to wear retired No. 1 jersey". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  38. ^ Michael, Sarah; Chatter, Idol (March 3, 2025). "Top NFL Draft Prospect Cam Ward Puts Faith First, Credits God for Legendary College Career". Idol Chatter. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  39. ^ Adelson, Andrea (September 27, 2024). "Cam Ward and Kyron Drones are cousins and training partners. And now they're opponents". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  40. ^ Clark, Colton (February 9, 2022). "'I took a different route': New Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward bursts into spotlight after being overlooked". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  41. ^ Wyatt, Jim (April 9, 2025). "My Cousin Cam: Veteran Safety Quandre Diggs Thinks Cam Ward, Titans, Would be a Great Match". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
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