Cam Ward is Miami’s first Heisman finalist in 22 years. He spoke with ESPN about the award, his season, and the upcoming bowl against Iowa State:
On being invited to New York: That's going to mean a lot for myself personally, for my family. There’s never been a zero star recruit who started at FCS and made his way to the biggest stage at Miami and to be invited to the Heisman ceremony. I’m excited for opportunity. My teammates put me in that position. I'm just ready to get it going.
On what it would be like to win: It would mean more to my parents than it would mean to me. Just the sacrifices they made for me financially and physically, coming to all my football games. It would be a huge accomplishment for the whole family, the community in Miami, myself personally. But I'm going to go watch that tape.
On his journey to the Heisman: Incarnate Word helped me grow as a person, just mentally, physically, communication-wise. I went from a 17, 18-year-old kid at Incarnate Word to being ready to play on a Power 5 stage at Washington State. [Washington State] gave me the opportunity to show my skills. I got a chance to meet some great teammates in that locker room.
And then spending my last year in Miami has been nothing but God. He put me in this position to help lead a locker room full of guys I’ve only known for one year. What they did for me, for my family, welcoming me in, it's just something to really enjoy and cherish. You try to live in the moment.
On his season at Miami: It's been a blessing. God truly does his wonders. For the City of Miami to welcome me in, Coach Cristobal taking the chance on me, Coach Dawson giving me the keys to the kingdom in the offense, it's been nothing but the best. The team is the reason why I'm in this position. It’s exciting for myself because all the hard work is starting to pay off. I’m excited to get to New York to represent Miami the right way.
On the committee’s decision to leave Miami out of the Top 12: It's crazy. You’ve got the best quarterback in the country. You’ve got the number one offense in the country, a top five offense of all time in college. We ain't been stopped all year. We have a top 25 defense.
At the end of the day, I have no control over that. My teammates have no control over that. They had to do what they had to do. But we’ve got a challenge in playing in a good bowl game, going against a good team in Iowa State. We're going to try to end the season off with a win.
On whether he will watch the Playoff: Yeah, I'm gonna watch it. I really do like watching football. The different offenses, different schemes. I'm gonna be tuning in for sure.
On whether he will be playing in the Pop Tarts Bowl: Yeah, the plan is still playing the bowl game. The whole team is still here right now. We’re just trying to prepare for [Iowa State], relax our body a little bit and try to go win our last football game of the year.
On being invited to New York: That's going to mean a lot for myself personally, for my family. There’s never been a zero star recruit who started at FCS and made his way to the biggest stage at Miami and to be invited to the Heisman ceremony. I’m excited for opportunity. My teammates put me in that position. I'm just ready to get it going.
On what it would be like to win: It would mean more to my parents than it would mean to me. Just the sacrifices they made for me financially and physically, coming to all my football games. It would be a huge accomplishment for the whole family, the community in Miami, myself personally. But I'm going to go watch that tape.
On his journey to the Heisman: Incarnate Word helped me grow as a person, just mentally, physically, communication-wise. I went from a 17, 18-year-old kid at Incarnate Word to being ready to play on a Power 5 stage at Washington State. [Washington State] gave me the opportunity to show my skills. I got a chance to meet some great teammates in that locker room.
And then spending my last year in Miami has been nothing but God. He put me in this position to help lead a locker room full of guys I’ve only known for one year. What they did for me, for my family, welcoming me in, it's just something to really enjoy and cherish. You try to live in the moment.
On his season at Miami: It's been a blessing. God truly does his wonders. For the City of Miami to welcome me in, Coach Cristobal taking the chance on me, Coach Dawson giving me the keys to the kingdom in the offense, it's been nothing but the best. The team is the reason why I'm in this position. It’s exciting for myself because all the hard work is starting to pay off. I’m excited to get to New York to represent Miami the right way.
On the committee’s decision to leave Miami out of the Top 12: It's crazy. You’ve got the best quarterback in the country. You’ve got the number one offense in the country, a top five offense of all time in college. We ain't been stopped all year. We have a top 25 defense.
At the end of the day, I have no control over that. My teammates have no control over that. They had to do what they had to do. But we’ve got a challenge in playing in a good bowl game, going against a good team in Iowa State. We're going to try to end the season off with a win.
On whether he will watch the Playoff: Yeah, I'm gonna watch it. I really do like watching football. The different offenses, different schemes. I'm gonna be tuning in for sure.
On whether he will be playing in the Pop Tarts Bowl: Yeah, the plan is still playing the bowl game. The whole team is still here right now. We’re just trying to prepare for [Iowa State], relax our body a little bit and try to go win our last football game of the year.
