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Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Cam Ward approached NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on draft evening, he flashed a assured smile befitting somebody who had crushed the chances after beginning his collegiate profession at a faculty that is by no means had a participant drafted to the NFL.
Sure, Ward performed his remaining faculty season at Miami, however his early collegiate days started in entrance of 6,000 individuals on sport days as a freshman at Incarnate Phrase in San Antonio. Nonetheless, the zero-star highschool prospect by no means lacked self-belief regardless of Incarnate Phrase being his lone supply.
“I’ve had the dream since I used to be slightly child,” Ward mentioned after being chosen. “I had greater aspirations than being only a draft choose. I simply assume I simply needed it extra. I’ve a real love for the sport of soccer and imagine for those who put in arduous work with God in your facet, a whole lot of stuff can care for itself.”
After two transfers and 5 faculty seasons, Ward lastly noticed his lifelong targets come to fruition Thursday when the Tennessee Titans made him the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL draft. Ward, 22, initially declared for the 2024 draft however reversed his choice after getting suggestions that he can be a midround choose, which solely fueled him extra. Over the previous 12 months, he channeled his frustration and embraced who he’s, so in that second Thursday evening, standing subsequent to Goodell and holding up a Titans jersey, he was the place he all the time was alleged to be.
Ward handed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns final season — each Miami single-season data. He additionally gained the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s high quarterback, and completed fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Now, the Titans are banking on Ward’s playmaking capability and management to be their subsequent franchise quarterback. Tennessee’s perception in Ward was robust sufficient to show down a commerce supply from the New York Giants that included the No. 3 choose this 12 months, a first-round choice in 2026 and a number of different picks, based on ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“I simply assume for those who establish a franchise quarterback, there’s actually not a worth that you may pay for that,” Titans normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi mentioned. “That is an important place in all of sports activities. He is a younger quarterback and he nonetheless has a whole lot of issues to work on, however I believe the intangibles with him, his work ethic, his need to grow to be higher, we felt comfy with that.”
WARD PREDICTED HIS future success when he graduated from Columbia Excessive Faculty in West Columbia, Texas. Regardless of averaging 12 cross makes an attempt per sport from a wing-T offense in highschool, Ward believed he can be the beginning quarterback as a freshman at Incarnate Phrase although incumbent starter Jon Copeland had simply set a single-season program passing file with 3,341 yards in 2019.
“All I wanted was an opportunity to play in a quarterback-driven system,” Ward mentioned on the NFL mix in February.
That is the place coach Eric Morris’ high-flying offense got here into play. Ward handed for two,260 yards and an FCS-leading 24 touchdowns in six video games in the course of the COVID-shortened season. He additionally gained the Jerry Rice Award — given to essentially the most excellent FCS freshman.
“He is all the time had confidence, a pure chip on his shoulder,” mentioned Ward’s cousin, Quandre Diggs, who performed security for the Titans final season. “It is as a result of he works arduous. You would see that since when he was younger.”
Whereas at Incarnate Phrase, Ward was launched to non-public quarterback coach Darrell Colbert Jr., a former quarterback at SMU and Lamar College. Colbert’s work with Ward’s cousin, Kyron Drones — who performs quarterback at Virginia Tech — stood out to Ward’s father, Calvin, so Calvin sought Colbert’s companies to assist Ward take his sport to the following degree.
Colbert grew to become Ward’s private quarterback coach after his freshman season, they usually’ve labored collectively ever since.
“He is helped me keep on monitor to the place I needed to be football-wise,” Ward mentioned on the mix. “He is taught me to win from the pocket.”
After two seasons at Incarnate Phrase, Ward transferred to Washington State to comply with Morris, who was named offensive coordinator for the Cougars. Over his two-year profession at WSU, Ward accomplished 65.5% of his passes for six,698 yards and 48 touchdowns and he was an honorable point out for the All-Pac-12 group in 2022 and 2023.
“This can be a child who, since I’ve identified him, has all the time believed that he can be on this scenario,” Colbert instructed ESPN.
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, Ward ended up at Miami over colleges like Florida State, which ended up getting a dedication from DJ Uiagalelei. Ward consulted together with his mother and father and an agent whereas being closely recruited by Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Ward’s presence was felt instantly — serving to elevate Miami to its first 10-win season since 2017.
Miami’s 39-38 come-from-behind win at Cal in Week 6 was one among Ward’s defining moments. Down 21-10, Miami’s protection compelled Cal to punt on the primary collection after halftime. When Miami took over on offense, Cal defensive again Nohl Williams picked Chase away and returned it 40 yards for a landing.
Cal compelled Ward and the Hurricane’s offense to punt on the following collection then drove 80 yards to the top zone in 5 performs to make the rating 35-10 with simply over two minutes left within the third quarter.
“We performed Cal and I had some unhealthy performs,” Ward mentioned. “However I used to be in a position to get again on monitor and make some performs within the second half to win the sport.”
Regardless of the pick-six, Ward by no means wavered. He instructed his teammates they could not rating 25 factors on one drive, in order that they wanted to take it play-by-play. They put collectively three consecutive landing drives, every protecting no less than 70 yards to drag Miami inside one rating.
Miami took over at its 8-yard line with 1:28 to go. On the primary play, Ward calmly hung within the pocket and located extensive receiver Xavier Restrepo in the midst of the sector for a 77-yard completion. Ward linked with tight finish Elijah Arroyo a number of performs later for the go-ahead landing. Miami’s scoring drive coated 92 yards and left 26 seconds on the clock.
“He is only a tremendous assured human being,” Restrepo instructed ESPN. “That is such an excellent essential attribute as a quarterback. I’ve by no means seen any person come inside a constructing and alter it the way in which he has.”
Ward was considered the consensus high QB prospect based on ESPN’s draft analysts when the mud settled from the season, however there have been nonetheless combined emotions relating to him and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders amongst scouts. However Ward shared a public message to groups.
“When you do not draft me, that is your fault,” Ward mentioned. “You have to bear in mind you are the identical group that is received to play me for the remainder of my profession, and I am going to do not forget that.”
Throughout Miami’s professional day, Ward rolled out to his left and launched a cross over 50 yards down the sector into the ready arms of Restrepo. Titans group president Chad Brinker and Borgonzi occurred to be on the sideline that Ward rolled out to.
“I am solidifying it as we speak,” Ward mentioned to Brinker and Borgonzi.
“It was a cool second,” Brinker mentioned. “Cam, he is assured. However I would not say he is cocky. There is a fantastic line between the 2 and he carries himself the appropriate manner.”
“You possibly can really feel the boldness,” Borgonzi mentioned after choosing Ward. “It’s not cocky or conceited, however there is a confidence there that you have to have as a participant and a quarterback.”
After averaging solely 18.3 factors final season, the Titans will lean on Ward to guide an offensive resurgence underneath coach Brian Callahan. Final 12 months’s quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph mixed for 3,621 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions.
The Titans know their future relies upon upon having an improve on the place, however Ward should earn it on and off the sector. All of it begins with Ward with the ability to look into the eyes of the ten different guys within the huddle and make them imagine he is the one who can flip issues round.
Ward admitted on the mix he is not a “rah-rah” sort of participant. He as an alternative pointed to his self-motivation and confidence as property to his lead by instance method. Ward believes the unconventional path he is traveled is one thing no different participant can convey to a franchise.
“It is the management capability and the way in which he is in a position to make these round him higher,” Callahan mentioned. “There are a whole lot of guys that may play the place, however the guys that transcend have a novel capability to attach with their teammates after which increase the extent of everybody round him. I believe that is what he has proven at each cease he is been and hopefully that continues right here.”
