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How Cam Ward beat the odds to become the No. 1 draft pick


Editor’s Note: This story originalally published after round 1 of the 2025 NFL DRAFT.

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Cam Ward Ready to Take His Game-Changing Talent to the Titans

Check out highlights from miami QB cam Ward after being drafted by the titans in the 2025 Nfl Draft.

Nashville, Tenn. – AS CAM WARD Apprached NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Draft Night, He Flashed a Confident Smile Befitting Someone Who Had Beten Drafted to the NFL.

Yes, Ward played his final college season at miemi, but his collegiate days began in Front of 6,000 people on game days as a freshman at incarnio. Still, The Zero-Star High School Prospect Never Lacked Self-Belief Despite Incarnate Word Being His Lone Offer.

“I ‘had the dream since I was a little kid,” Ward Said after being selected. “I had bigger aspirations than just a draft pick. I just thinked it more. Take Care of Itself. “

After Two Transfers and Five College Seasons, Ward Finally Saw His Lifelong Goals Come to Fruit Thursday Tennessee titans Made Him the No. 1 Pick Of the 2025 NFL DRAFT. Ward, 22, initially declared for the 2024 draft but reversed his decison after getting feedback that he would be a midround pick, which only fueled Him more. Over the past year, he channeled his frustration and embraced who he is, so in that moment Thursday Night, Standing Next to Goodell and Holding Up a Titans Jersey, He was where he always supported to be.

Ward passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns Last Season-Both Miami Single-Season Records. He also won the davey o’brean award, given to the top Quarterback, and finished form in voting for the heisman trophy.

Now, the titans are banking on Ward’s PlayMaking Ability and Leadership to be their next franchise Quarterback. Tennessee’s Belief in Ward Was Strong Enough to Turn Down a Trade Offer from the New York Giants That included the no. 3 Pick this year, a first-round selection in 2026 and multiple other picks, according to Espn’s Adam Scheme.

“I just think you identify a franchise quarterback, there’s a real not a price that you can pay for that,” Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi Said. “That’s the most important position in all of the sports. Comfortable with that. “


Ward Predicted His Future succes when he is graduated from columbia high school in West Columbia, Texas. Despite Averaging 12 Pass Attempts Per Game from a Wing-T office believed he would be the starting quarting quarting quarting a freshman at incumbent Starter Jon Copeland Had Just Set a Single-Season Program Passing Record with 3,341 Yards in 2019.

“All I needed to be a chance to play in a quarterback-driven system,” Ward Singh at the Nfl combine in February.

That’s where coach eric morris’ high-flying offense cam in the play. Ward passed for 2,260 yards and an fcs-lessing 24 touchdowns in six games during the covid-shortened season. He also Won the Jerry Rice Award – Given to the most outstanding fcs freshman.

“He’s always had confidence, a natural chip on his shorter,” Said Ward’s Cousin, Quandre DiggsWho played Safety for the Titans Last Season. “It’s because he worked.

WHILE AT INCARNATE WORD, WARD WAS INTRODUCED TO PERSONAL Quarterback Coach Darrell Colbert Jr., A Former Quarterback at Smu and Lamar University. Colbert’s Work with Ward’s Cousin, Kyron drones – Who Plays Quarterback at Virginia Tech- Stood Out to Ward’s Father, Calvin, So Calvin Sought Colberta’s Services to Help Ward Take His Game to the Next Level.

Colbert became Ward’s Personal Quarterback Coach after his freshman season, and they’ve worked together all.

“Hey helped me stay on track to where I wanted to be football-water,” Ward Said at the combine. “He taugh me to win from the pocket.”

After Two Seasons at Incarnate Word, the ward transfered to washington state to follow Morris, who was named offensive coordinator for the cigars. Over His Two-Year Career at WSU, Ward completed 65.5% of His Passes for 6,698 Yards and 48 TouchDowns and He was an Honorable Mention for the All-Pac-2 Team in 2022 and 2023.

“This is a kid who, Since I’ve known him, has always believed that he would be in this site,” Colbert toold Espn.


After Careful ConsiderationWard ended up at miami over schools like Florida State, which ended up getting a commitment from DJ damaged. Ward consuled with his parent and an agents while heavily recorded by Miami Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson.

Ward’s presence was felt Immediate-Helping Lift Miami to Its FIRST 10-WIN SEASON SINCE 2017.

MIAMI’S 39-38 Come-From-Behind Win at Cal in Week 6 was one of Ward’s defining moments. Down 21-10, Miami’s Defense Forced Cal to Punt on the first series after halftime. When Miami Took Over On Offense, Cal Defensive Back Nohl williams Picked Ward Off and Returned It 40 Yards for a touchdown.

Cal Force Ward and the Hurricane’s Offense to Punt on the Next Series then Drove 80 Yards to the end zone in five plays to make the score 35-10 with just once minuts left in the Third Quarter.

“We played cal and I had some bad plays,” Ward Said. “But I was about to get back on track and make some plays in the second half to win the game.”

Despite the Pick-Six, Ward Never Wavered. Hey toold His Teammates they could not score 25 points on one drive, so they needed to take it-by-play. They put together three consecutive touchdown drives, ach covering at last 70 yards to Pull Miami Within One Score.

MIAMI TOOK OVER AT ITS 8-YARD LINE WITH 1:28 To Go. On the first play, Ward Calmly hung in the Pocket and Found Wide Receiver Xavier restrepo In the milde of the field for a 77-yard completion. Ward connected with the right end Elijah Arroyo A few plays letter for the go-ahaede touchdown. Miami’s scoring drive covered 92 yards and left 26 seconds on the clock.

“He just just a super confident human being,” Restrepo toold Espn. “That’s such a super import characteristic as a Quarterback.

Ward was thinking to be the consensus top QB Prospect According to Espn’s Draft Analysts when the dust settled from the season, but there are still mixed Feelings regalding him Shedeur sanders Among Scouts. But Ward shared a public message to tims.

“If you do not draft me, that’s your fault,” Ward sa. “You get to remember you ‘the Same Team That’s Got to Play Me for the Rest of My Career, and I’all Remember that.”

During Miami’s Pro Day, Ward Rolled Out to His Left and Launched a Pass Over 50 Yards Down The Field Into the Waiting Arms of Restrepo. Titans Team Presiding Chad Brinker and Borgonzi happened to be on the sideline that Ward Rolled Out to.

“I ‘solidifying it today,” Ward Said to Brinker and Borgonzi.

“It was a cool moment,” brinker saaid. “Cam, he’s confidence. But I would say he’s cocky.

“You can feel the confident,” Borgonzi saad after selecting Ward. “It is not cocky or arrogant, but there’s a confidence there that you need to have as a player and a Quarterback.”

After averaging only 18.3 points Last Season, the Titans Will Lean on Ward to Lead an Offensive Resurgence Under Coach Brian Callhan. Last Year’s Quarterbacks Will levis And Mason Rudolph Combined for 3,621 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 intercepts.

The titans know their Future Depends Upon has an upgrade at the position, but Ward will have to earn it on and off the field. It all starts with a ward began to look in the eyees of the 10 other guys in the huddle and make them believe he is the one who can turn.

Ward admitted at the combine he not a “rah-rah” type of player. He Instead Pointed to his Self-Motivation and Confidence as Assets to his Lead by Example Apprach. Ward believes the unconventional path he traveled is some Something No other player can bring to a franchise.

“It is the footership ability and the way he is abale to make those,” callahan sa. “There are a lot of guys that can play the position, but the guys that translated has a unique ability to connect with their temperatures and then raise the level of every time. Every stop he’s been and hopefully that continues here. “





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