Every year, Bob McGinn compiles quotes from anonymous scouts on the top prospects for golongtd.com. Below is the feedback for Cam Ward, his top-ranked QB prospect (I agree with the first guy):
1. CAM WARD, Miami (6-1 ½, 219, no 40, 1): First Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami since 2002. Finished fourth in the voting. “He’s the best by far — I don’t think there’s really a comparison between him and Shedeur,” one scout said. “I did him last year (2023) when he initially was going to come out. He was wild. Not a great feel. All over the place, really. But he’s gotten so much better this year. He’s a playmaker. He’s quick with his eyes and the decision-making. His release is quick. The arm is good. He can throw from all angles. He’s so calm and poised. When **** gets ramped up at the end of games he ratchets it up, too, where you see the competitor in him. He’s got (Patrick) Mahomes-like escapability. Very similar to Mahomes athletically. Mahomes doesn’t look like he’s a great athlete but he’s always getting away from people and running. That’s this guy. He’s got that backyard style but he has gotten so much better being on time and precise and with accuracy and quick decisions. Tennessee has to pick this guy (at No. 1).”
Started 19 games in two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word, compiling an NFL passer rating of 107.2. Started 25 games at Washington State in 2022-’23 before rewriting the Miami record book in 13 starts last year. His passer rating in Power 5 was 103.4. “He plays like a modern NFL quarterback,” another scout said. “He can play off schedule. He’s got some dynamic ability. There’s no doubt he needs some work. At this point, his physical traits outweigh his pure quarterback play but we have coaches. We can work with his feet and feel in the pocket and decision-making and processing. Fundamentally, he may not be perfect, but he’s fun to watch. I wish he was a little taller but he’s got a sturdy frame. I would say he’d be a 4.7 maybe.” Rushed 400 times for 486 yards (1.2-yard average) and 20 touchdowns.
“This will be the ideal kid if you can sit him for a year,” said a third scout. “It never happens except in Green Bay. I’ve watched him since he was at Incarnate Word. He’s got the most tools in this class and enough size to work with. It’s just the decision-making. Sometimes he doesn’t trust his eyes. Sometimes he trusts his arm too much. He needs a lot more coaching. He’s getting better but he still isn’t NFL-ready from the neck up.” His hands measured at 9 inches, tied for smallest at the position.
“He was a disaster at Washington State,” a fourth scout said. “I’m kind of laughing hearing he’s gonna go first. Two years ago, he was throwing interceptions like nobody’s business. Michael Penix and Bo Nix were no-brainers as NFL starters. Cam Ward is a backup to me. He better fit the system or it’s going to be a disaster. I’m really kind of flabbergasted he’s being talked about in the top five. That (desperation) is when you make those kinds of mistakes.” Outstanding high-school basketball player in West Columbia, Texas.
“The kid knows that if he’ll throw some sidearm shots outside like a second baseman or shortstop and loft a few deep balls with the scouts there everybody will be oohing and aahing,” said a fifth scout. “His arm talent has been his entrée ticket to every level, and the NFL will be no exception. Is he going to go where they’ll train him and coach him? Because I’m telling you, he’ll get sacked maybe 85 times his rookie year. He will set the record for sacks because he will not get rid of the ball. He just holds it and drifts around and the Wake Forest guy falls off him and the NC State guy can’t get him on the ground and the Louisville guy is just grasping at air. It’s laughable. It’s not even real. Bad body, lazy. This guy’s so unpolished. You recognize the arm talent but it begins and ends there.”
A sixth scout said Ward wasn’t as good a prospect as Baker Mayfield and wasn’t close to Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams.
“He’s got talent but he’s got a bad body and he’s short,” a seventh scout said. “He’s the best guy but he ****ed me off as much as breaking down the good things. I don’t like the fact that a quarterback’s been to three schools. I guess it’s the time we’re in now.”
1. CAM WARD, Miami (6-1 ½, 219, no 40, 1): First Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami since 2002. Finished fourth in the voting. “He’s the best by far — I don’t think there’s really a comparison between him and Shedeur,” one scout said. “I did him last year (2023) when he initially was going to come out. He was wild. Not a great feel. All over the place, really. But he’s gotten so much better this year. He’s a playmaker. He’s quick with his eyes and the decision-making. His release is quick. The arm is good. He can throw from all angles. He’s so calm and poised. When **** gets ramped up at the end of games he ratchets it up, too, where you see the competitor in him. He’s got (Patrick) Mahomes-like escapability. Very similar to Mahomes athletically. Mahomes doesn’t look like he’s a great athlete but he’s always getting away from people and running. That’s this guy. He’s got that backyard style but he has gotten so much better being on time and precise and with accuracy and quick decisions. Tennessee has to pick this guy (at No. 1).”
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Started 19 games in two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word, compiling an NFL passer rating of 107.2. Started 25 games at Washington State in 2022-’23 before rewriting the Miami record book in 13 starts last year. His passer rating in Power 5 was 103.4. “He plays like a modern NFL quarterback,” another scout said. “He can play off schedule. He’s got some dynamic ability. There’s no doubt he needs some work. At this point, his physical traits outweigh his pure quarterback play but we have coaches. We can work with his feet and feel in the pocket and decision-making and processing. Fundamentally, he may not be perfect, but he’s fun to watch. I wish he was a little taller but he’s got a sturdy frame. I would say he’d be a 4.7 maybe.” Rushed 400 times for 486 yards (1.2-yard average) and 20 touchdowns.
“This will be the ideal kid if you can sit him for a year,” said a third scout. “It never happens except in Green Bay. I’ve watched him since he was at Incarnate Word. He’s got the most tools in this class and enough size to work with. It’s just the decision-making. Sometimes he doesn’t trust his eyes. Sometimes he trusts his arm too much. He needs a lot more coaching. He’s getting better but he still isn’t NFL-ready from the neck up.” His hands measured at 9 inches, tied for smallest at the position.
“He was a disaster at Washington State,” a fourth scout said. “I’m kind of laughing hearing he’s gonna go first. Two years ago, he was throwing interceptions like nobody’s business. Michael Penix and Bo Nix were no-brainers as NFL starters. Cam Ward is a backup to me. He better fit the system or it’s going to be a disaster. I’m really kind of flabbergasted he’s being talked about in the top five. That (desperation) is when you make those kinds of mistakes.” Outstanding high-school basketball player in West Columbia, Texas.
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“The kid knows that if he’ll throw some sidearm shots outside like a second baseman or shortstop and loft a few deep balls with the scouts there everybody will be oohing and aahing,” said a fifth scout. “His arm talent has been his entrée ticket to every level, and the NFL will be no exception. Is he going to go where they’ll train him and coach him? Because I’m telling you, he’ll get sacked maybe 85 times his rookie year. He will set the record for sacks because he will not get rid of the ball. He just holds it and drifts around and the Wake Forest guy falls off him and the NC State guy can’t get him on the ground and the Louisville guy is just grasping at air. It’s laughable. It’s not even real. Bad body, lazy. This guy’s so unpolished. You recognize the arm talent but it begins and ends there.”
A sixth scout said Ward wasn’t as good a prospect as Baker Mayfield and wasn’t close to Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams.
“He’s got talent but he’s got a bad body and he’s short,” a seventh scout said. “He’s the best guy but he ****ed me off as much as breaking down the good things. I don’t like the fact that a quarterback’s been to three schools. I guess it’s the time we’re in now.”
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