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Cam = Best QB in UM history?

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Thoughts?????




Strengths

•Arm Talent: Ward has an elite arm capable of generating significant velocity, even off-platform. He excels at making throws on the move and from difficult angles.
•Mobility: His quickness in the pocket and ability to extend plays under pressure make him a constant threat, especially when defenses break down.
•Decision-Making: While still growing in this area, Ward has shown a marked improvement in taking care of the football in 2024, reducing his turnover frequency compared to earlier seasons.
•Playmaking Ability: Ward thrives in chaotic situations, often keeping his eyes downfield while scrambling, leading to explosive plays.
•Poise Under Pressure: He’s calm under duress, regularly eluding pass rushers and keeping plays alive without panicking.

Weaknesses

•Consistency in Mechanics: Ward’s footwork can be inconsistent, which occasionally leads to accuracy issues, especially on shorter timing routes.
•Durability Concerns: Standing at 6’2” and 223 lbs, Ward is on the smaller side for an NFL quarterback, raising questions about his ability to withstand NFL-level hits over a long season.
•Downfield Accuracy: Although he can make deep throws, his downfield accuracy and decision-making remain areas for growth.
•Short Yardage Play: He sometimes abandons scripted plays too early, opting for short checkdowns instead of pushing the ball downfield.

NFL Class and Projection = Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

Ward’s blend of athleticism and playmaking ability, combined with his rapidly improving decision-making, positions him as a top-tier quarterback prospect.

NFL Comparisons

•Ceiling: Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Ward’s ability to extend plays with his legs, paired with his improving accuracy and decision-making, mirrors Hurts’ rapid rise in the NFL. Both players have similar build and athleticism, and if Ward can continue to develop his passing, he could become a dynamic dual-threat in the league.
•Floor: Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants)
If Ward’s mechanics don’t improve and he struggles with decision-making at the next level, he could follow a path similar to Taylor, a mobile quarterback who’s spent much of his career as a backup due to inconsistency as a passer.

Conclusion

Cam Ward’s rise from an overlooked high school recruit to a top NFL prospect is a testament to his perseverance, raw talent, and work ethic. His arm strength and playmaking ability make him an intriguing quarterback for NFL teams that run a spread or RPO-heavy system, where he can use his legs to create opportunities. While still a bit raw, his progress over the last two years suggests that he could become a top-tier NFL starter if given time to refine his mechanics and decision-making. Expect him to be drafted in the late first or early second round, with the potential to start by his second season depending on his landing spot.
 
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flagator86 said:
Thoughts?????




Strengths

•Arm Talent: Ward has an elite arm capable of generating significant velocity, even off-platform. He excels at making throws on the move and from difficult angles.
•Mobility: His quickness in the pocket and ability to extend plays under pressure make him a constant threat, especially when defenses break down.
•Decision-Making: While still growing in this area, Ward has shown a marked improvement in taking care of the football in 2024, reducing his turnover frequency compared to earlier seasons.
•Playmaking Ability: Ward thrives in chaotic situations, often keeping his eyes downfield while scrambling, leading to explosive plays.
•Poise Under Pressure: He’s calm under duress, regularly eluding pass rushers and keeping plays alive without panicking.

Weaknesses

•Consistency in Mechanics: Ward’s footwork can be inconsistent, which occasionally leads to accuracy issues, especially on shorter timing routes.
•Durability Concerns: Standing at 6’2” and 223 lbs, Ward is on the smaller side for an NFL quarterback, raising questions about his ability to withstand NFL-level hits over a long season.
•Downfield Accuracy: Although he can make deep throws, his downfield accuracy and decision-making remain areas for growth.
•Short Yardage Play: He sometimes abandons scripted plays too early, opting for short checkdowns instead of pushing the ball downfield.

NFL Class and Projection = Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

Ward’s blend of athleticism and playmaking ability, combined with his rapidly improving decision-making, positions him as a top-tier quarterback prospect.

NFL Comparisons

•Ceiling: Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Ward’s ability to extend plays with his legs, paired with his improving accuracy and decision-making, mirrors Hurts’ rapid rise in the NFL. Both players have similar build and athleticism, and if Ward can continue to develop his passing, he could become a dynamic dual-threat in the league.
•Floor: Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants)
If Ward’s mechanics don’t improve and he struggles with decision-making at the next level, he could follow a path similar to Taylor, a mobile quarterback who’s spent much of his career as a backup due to inconsistency as a passer.

Conclusion

Cam Ward’s rise from an overlooked high school recruit to a top NFL prospect is a testament to his perseverance, raw talent, and work ethic. His arm strength and playmaking ability make him an intriguing quarterback for NFL teams that run a spread or RPO-heavy system, where he can use his legs to create opportunities. While still a bit raw, his progress over the last two years suggests that he could become a top-tier NFL starter if given time to refine his mechanics and decision-making. Expect him to be drafted in the late first or early second round, with the potential to start by his second season depending on his landing spot.
Click to expand...

I think you're way low.

Top 5 pick at minimum, just because you know teams get a little weird.

Has played up at every level possible. From Incarnate Word to Wazzu to The U observable gains each step of the way and mastery of the position.

Your critiques are fair, but we've seen improvement in decision making change at halftime with Ward acknowledging he was playing a bit of hero ball immediately after the game to the press. Very self aware player that carries himself like a pro and develops his game like a pro. The incremental step ups in competition is going to benefit him so much, IMO. His adjustment and improvement is a testament to his mind and body growing to the speed and complexity of the game as he moves up. Its going to play up in the pros.

Statistically he's tops, too. Profile of a player that should go Top 5.

He's Real Deal Holyfield.

The best in the game and many of the best have the same level of controlled recklessness to their games at times. Its a part of what makes them great. Most of the time its magic, sometimes its not, but that is why you give those guys a good run game or a great defense to take the edge off and let him fire away and be great.
 
Last edited:
flagator86 said:
Thoughts?????




Strengths

•Arm Talent: Ward has an elite arm capable of generating significant velocity, even off-platform. He excels at making throws on the move and from difficult angles.
•Mobility: His quickness in the pocket and ability to extend plays under pressure make him a constant threat, especially when defenses break down.
•Decision-Making: While still growing in this area, Ward has shown a marked improvement in taking care of the football in 2024, reducing his turnover frequency compared to earlier seasons.
•Playmaking Ability: Ward thrives in chaotic situations, often keeping his eyes downfield while scrambling, leading to explosive plays.
•Poise Under Pressure: He’s calm under duress, regularly eluding pass rushers and keeping plays alive without panicking.

Weaknesses

•Consistency in Mechanics: Ward’s footwork can be inconsistent, which occasionally leads to accuracy issues, especially on shorter timing routes.
•Durability Concerns: Standing at 6’2” and 223 lbs, Ward is on the smaller side for an NFL quarterback, raising questions about his ability to withstand NFL-level hits over a long season.
•Downfield Accuracy: Although he can make deep throws, his downfield accuracy and decision-making remain areas for growth.
•Short Yardage Play: He sometimes abandons scripted plays too early, opting for short checkdowns instead of pushing the ball downfield.

NFL Class and Projection = Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

Ward’s blend of athleticism and playmaking ability, combined with his rapidly improving decision-making, positions him as a top-tier quarterback prospect.

NFL Comparisons

•Ceiling: Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Ward’s ability to extend plays with his legs, paired with his improving accuracy and decision-making, mirrors Hurts’ rapid rise in the NFL. Both players have similar build and athleticism, and if Ward can continue to develop his passing, he could become a dynamic dual-threat in the league.
•Floor: Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants)
If Ward’s mechanics don’t improve and he struggles with decision-making at the next level, he could follow a path similar to Taylor, a mobile quarterback who’s spent much of his career as a backup due to inconsistency as a passer.

Conclusion

Cam Ward’s rise from an overlooked high school recruit to a top NFL prospect is a testament to his perseverance, raw talent, and work ethic. His arm strength and playmaking ability make him an intriguing quarterback for NFL teams that run a spread or RPO-heavy system, where he can use his legs to create opportunities. While still a bit raw, his progress over the last two years suggests that he could become a top-tier NFL starter if given time to refine his mechanics and decision-making. Expect him to be drafted in the late first or early second round, with the potential to start by his second season depending on his landing spot.
Click to expand...

Disagree on the Hurts ceiling. He is a much better passer than Hurts. Has a better feel and anticipation. The multiple arm angles.
 
BoxingRobes said:
I think you're way low.

Top 5 pick at minimum, just because you know teams get a little weird.

Has played up at every level possible. From Incarnate Word to Wazzu to The U observable gains each step of the way and mastery of the position.

Your critiques are fair, but we've seen improvement in decision making change at halftime with Ward acknowledging he was playing a bit of hero ball immediately after the game to the press. Very self aware player that carries himself like a pro and develops his game like a pro. The incremental step ups in competition is going to benefit him so much, IMO. His adjustment and improvement is a testament to his mind and body growing to the speed and complexity of the game as he moves up. Its going to play up in the pros.

Statistically he's tops, too. Profile of a player that should go Top 5.

He's Real Deal Holyfield.
Click to expand...
I don’t think @flagator86 is @rookiemendation
 
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I haven't seen a QB in a Miami uniform like Cam. To me, you gotta go back to Bernie to get the level of trust I have in Cam. I've never seen a qb so calm and easy. When he breaks the pocket I just wait for something incredible to happen. He's been a cheat code for us so far, you can't say that about any qb at Miami for a minimum 40 years? For me it's Cam, Bernie, Kelly, Vinnie, then everyone else that I've seen. I know there's guy who've been around longer and more focused than I have so my opinion may vary.
 
The one thing that's barring him from being considered one of the greats is seeing him play against a top 4/Championship Game defense.

Not to say he couldn't handle it, but the greats of the 80s/early 90s did it and we've seen it.

He's the best/my favorite player along with X since the 2001 era.
 
hurts is an odd comparison. i think ward has a higher ceiling as a passer and processor, whereas hurts is much more of a runner than cam has ever been. or at least, since he was running the wing T in high school lol. the strengths and weaknesses seem largely on point though, aside from the odd one about cam going to his checkdown too quickly- if anything, the opposite has been true and he's gone big-play hunting a bit too often at times.

people freak out when i say this but i want to emphasize that i am comparing them AS PROSPECTS coming out of school, not ceiling-wise- i think mahomes is actually a pretty decent comparison. live arm, lots of arm angles, overly reckless, not a running/option QB but elusive and mobile, played in the air raid, outstanding thrower on the move who is always looking to make a play downfield, has a lot of rough edges to be cleaned up. sound familiar? i think cam's arm strength is probably juuust a tick lower than mahomes, but people forget that mahomes was viewed as a risky project player and went in the mid first round. andy reid's great achievement was getting him to be able to play within the timing and structure of an nfl offense without losing the magic of what he could do. imo, someone will need to do the same with cam. he's not a slam-dunk, home run nfl QB prospect, but he's worth a shot in the first round because despite the rough edges he could be really special.
 
Jalen Hurts is a terrible comp for him. I’m not 100% sold Cam will be an elite NFL QB but he belongs in the league and should be a top 12 pick
 
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The U is back to work said:
Jalen Hurts is a terrible comp for him.
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An all time “gotta find someone who shares this one specific trait” comp. Couldn’t be more different.

Also, 6’2 225 is… not small. Never once even had the thought his size would be an issue (teeing this one up for all of the old men trying to be young to jump in and post pause fifteen different ways)
 
kyle_schick said:
The one thing that's barring him from being considered one of the greats is seeing him play against a top 4/Championship Game defense.

Not to say he couldn't handle it, but the greats of the 80s/early 90s did it and we've seen it.

He's the best/my favorite player along with X since the 2001 era.
Click to expand...
Yet
 
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TitansHope said:
hurts is an odd comparison. i think ward has a higher ceiling as a passer and processor, whereas hurts is much more of a runner than cam has ever been. or at least, since he was running the wing T in high school lol. the strengths and weaknesses seem largely on point though, aside from the odd one about cam going to his checkdown too quickly- if anything, the opposite has been true and he's gone big-play hunting a bit too often at times.

people freak out when i say this but i want to emphasize that i am comparing them AS PROSPECTS coming out of school, not ceiling-wise- i think mahomes is actually a pretty decent comparison. live arm, lots of arm angles, overly reckless, not a running/option QB but elusive and mobile, played in the air raid, outstanding thrower on the move who is always looking to make a play downfield, has a lot of rough edges to be cleaned up. sound familiar? i think cam's arm strength is probably juuust a tick lower than mahomes, but people forget that mahomes was viewed as a risky project player and went in the mid first round. andy reid's great achievement was getting him to be able to play within the timing and structure of an nfl offense without losing the magic of what he could do. imo, someone will need to do the same with cam. he's not a slam-dunk, home run nfl QB prospect, but he's worth a shot in the first round because despite the rough edges he could be really special.
Click to expand...
I describe him like this: Pre-snap Peyton Manning with the escapability of Lamar and Patrick Mahomes vision and throws.
 
flagator86 said:
Thoughts?????




Strengths

•Arm Talent: Ward has an elite arm capable of generating significant velocity, even off-platform. He excels at making throws on the move and from difficult angles.
•Mobility: His quickness in the pocket and ability to extend plays under pressure make him a constant threat, especially when defenses break down.
•Decision-Making: While still growing in this area, Ward has shown a marked improvement in taking care of the football in 2024, reducing his turnover frequency compared to earlier seasons.
•Playmaking Ability: Ward thrives in chaotic situations, often keeping his eyes downfield while scrambling, leading to explosive plays.
•Poise Under Pressure: He’s calm under duress, regularly eluding pass rushers and keeping plays alive without panicking.

Weaknesses

•Consistency in Mechanics: Ward’s footwork can be inconsistent, which occasionally leads to accuracy issues, especially on shorter timing routes.
•Durability Concerns: Standing at 6’2” and 223 lbs, Ward is on the smaller side for an NFL quarterback, raising questions about his ability to withstand NFL-level hits over a long season.
•Downfield Accuracy: Although he can make deep throws, his downfield accuracy and decision-making remain areas for growth.
•Short Yardage Play: He sometimes abandons scripted plays too early, opting for short checkdowns instead of pushing the ball downfield.

NFL Class and Projection = Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

Ward’s blend of athleticism and playmaking ability, combined with his rapidly improving decision-making, positions him as a top-tier quarterback prospect.

NFL Comparisons

•Ceiling: Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
Ward’s ability to extend plays with his legs, paired with his improving accuracy and decision-making, mirrors Hurts’ rapid rise in the NFL. Both players have similar build and athleticism, and if Ward can continue to develop his passing, he could become a dynamic dual-threat in the league.
•Floor: Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants)
If Ward’s mechanics don’t improve and he struggles with decision-making at the next level, he could follow a path similar to Taylor, a mobile quarterback who’s spent much of his career as a backup due to inconsistency as a passer.

Conclusion

Cam Ward’s rise from an overlooked high school recruit to a top NFL prospect is a testament to his perseverance, raw talent, and work ethic. His arm strength and playmaking ability make him an intriguing quarterback for NFL teams that run a spread or RPO-heavy system, where he can use his legs to create opportunities. While still a bit raw, his progress over the last two years suggests that he could become a top-tier NFL starter if given time to refine his mechanics and decision-making. Expect him to be drafted in the late first or early second round, with the potential to start by his second season depending on his landing spot.
Click to expand...

Hurts comp is terrible, literally no similarities besides the obvious lol

But i agree with most of this. My best case scenario for him would be going to the rams and sitting a year or two behind stafford with mcvay
 
I came up around the Robert Marve era, so **** yeah cam it’s the best hurricane qb of all time
 
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