Cam Ward: "That Draft Pick Don't Mean Nothing"
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward takes to the podium in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
COMBINE Q&A: CAM WARD, QB, MIAMI
After polling front office executives around the league at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, the consensus feeling is that Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the clear-cut number one quarterback in the Class of 2025. It remains to be seen if that is how script plays over the next 50 days. However, no one can question the fact that Ward warrants the attention as a franchise-altering signal-caller. The consensus All-American met with the assembled media in Indianapolis to discuss what makes him tick. For in-depth scouting reports on Ward and over 500 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, be sure to take advantage of our draft guide sale today!
The first time we spoke was in 2020 when you were at Incarnate Word and now you're here. Take me through that journey of what you've learned from that time to where we are now.
It’s been all God. He's blessed me my entire journey. I prayed for this moment. I've been around some great players that helped me get to this place. The coaching staff really helped me since coming in as a young 17-year-old kid running a wing-T offense, so it's being full circle, but I'm blessed for sure.
I felt like you were already a pro guy and I want you to answer this question. How much of your decision last year to come back was I need to come back, or I want to come back?
It is a little bit of both. I love playing college football. It was a good stepping stone for my journey to get to this level, but I just think it was more food left on the table for me. More stuff that I need to improve on just personally with just the way I approach the game, my mindset, the footwork I need to get better at and I just think going to Miami, the team they already had, I just think it was plug and play.
How much do you know about Titans coach Brian Callahan?
I think I know a decent amount. I was able to watch a couple of their games this past season. A lot of their route concepts are similar stuff that we do, so if I'm drafted there, I just think it'd be plug and play.
What have your early interactions been like with the Titans?
We had good interactions. Myself with Coach Callahan, the quarterbacks coach and also the GM. It's a great staff they put together. They’ve got unbelievable players, so I just hope that God puts me in this situation.
What's the thing you're hoping these teams get to know about you that might not be obvious?
That I’m willing to do anything that it takes to win a football game, whether it's be a gunslinger all day or have to hand the ball out a couple times. So at the end of the day, I know what type of player I am. The team should know what type of player they're getting in me and so I'm just going out there and trying to do my best for myself, for my future teammates.
What makes you the No. 1 QB in this draft?
The tape says everything I believe and I'm honest to that but I think just what separates me from everybody is the way I approach it, the mindset that I have going onto the field each and every game and I mean coming from my journey, not a lot of people can do that and so I just think it shows the work that I'm willing to put in whether I go first round or second round. At the end of the day, that draft pick don't mean nothing. It's all about establishing yourself once you get the opportunity.
How was your meeting with the Browns?
It went real good being able to meet with the GM, finally meet the quarterback coach in person, the OC as well. They do unbelievable job on offense getting people open. They’ve got an unbelievable offensive line. Jerry Jeudy is one of the best receivers in the league, so if I'm hoping to go there, I know it'll work out good.
What about the Raiders, what would it mean if you got there?
It would mean a lot, especially with the coaching staff they have. Chip Kelly, the things that he can do with the quarterback, moving him outside the pocket, the concepts he's done, he does in the intermediate game, it’ll fit my play style. And Pete Carroll, he's a legendary coach and so if I'm lucky to go there, I know it will work out.
What is your best trait as an NFL player?
I think my best trait is winning from the pocket and I got better at that over my years of college, and at the end of the day as a quarterback, you can't rely on scramble drill and having to win out of structure because if you can't win in the pocket, you’ll never be successful.
How would you describe meeting with the Giants?
It went real well, especially getting a chance to watch their offense, watch the players they have in the league. The defense they have is a good defense. It's a lot of similar concepts to what I did in my previous years at Incarnate Word and Miami, and so I just think just from a situation standpoint, all of the teams looking for quarterbacks will be good situations.
Do you and Shedeur [Sanders] kid each other about who's going first and how much that matters?
Yeah, we play around, we joke around with it. It really don’t mean nothing. The draft pick will never mean anything. At the end of the day, you’ve got to show whether you can prove it each and every Sunday. You can't just do it one year and just show up the next year. You’ve got to do it every time you step on the field.
Who are you as a leader, more vocal, or lead by example?
I'm more of both as a leader, especially throughout college. I've grown to be more vocal, but at the end of the day, it's all about leading by example, I believe. The quarterback will always be the highest paid player on the team, and he has to showcase that skill every Sunday and every day throughout the facility to his teammates. I just think I'll be one of those guys in the long run and I'm looking forward to it.
How do you think that translates to an NFL locker room when you to have to lead guys who are much older than you and some of them are just now coming into the league themselves?
I think it translates, especially when you get to know guys, know their background. You can't go in there and try to hold people accountable when you don’t know the first thing about them. So I think once I’ll be able to get to know my future teammates, we’ll be able to make some strong connections, and that just translates to the field.
What would you say are one or two plays that would really describe the Cam Ward experience?
I would say a lot of plays Week 1 Florida can describe it and I'll also play say a lot of plays describe it when we played Cal. I had some bad plays in the first half but I was able to get back to on track and have some good plays in the second half of the game.
Who are your top five quarterbacks, in no particular order?
I'm not going to include myself. I'm not in the league yet. I'll say Jayden Daniels, Pat Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, some good ones in the league too. I would say Josh Allen is up there and Jalen Hurts.
How would it feel to play for the Jets?
I know it would be elite, especially with the receiver corps they have, the defense they have. Being able to talk with their head coach for the first time was exciting and so I think the Jets are not too far off. Maybe a couple pieces. I'm just hoping I can be one of them.
How much emphasis do you place on your processing speed? How much do you work on that? Jayden Daniels uses virtual reality, is that something that you do now and plan to?
I've never tried the virtual reality. I'm open to it, but I'm old school. I'm a big-time note-taker and I watch film. End of day it’s got me to where I am today but if virtual reality is going to help me, I'll make sure I do it.
You started as a zero-star prospect coming out of high school, found your way up through the ranks to Miami, obviously now you're projected No. 1. Talk about your journey as a player and what you've done to become a really good player.
I just put my head down and work every day. I prayed about it. I've been praying for this moment since I was 6 and so I'm just blessed to be here. A lot of those guys are blessed to be here and I just think to everybody who was in a situation like me, who's still going to be in a situation like me, not having scholarships and all of that, all you got to do is believe in God and work, those two things they'll take care of everything.
SCOUTING SEMINAR #2 — SCOUTING SUPER BOWL LIX
Interesting history from zero (HS stars) to hero. He was persistent and it paid off. I am still not convinced he is better pro prospect than Shedeur.