Not sure what leverage Ward has over the NFL, unless you are a first round pick where not everyone has a chance to pick you then you are not that important to them. How does you threatening to stay in school another year change your draft grade? He can choose to believe his draft grade or not I suppose but if you are not a 1st round QB then it doesn't matter what round you get drafted in they look at you the same. They will bend over backwards to accommodate a 1st rounder and give them every chance in the world to succeed, the rest of them are treated the same, whether its Will Levis (early 2nd) or Brock Purdy (last pick in the draft), they will play you if they have to, otherwise you will ride the pine and may or may not get playing time, Purdy is a product of bad qb's in front of him and luck of the right place, right time. Whatever Ward can do to get into the 1st round is even more important than whatever money he can get on an NIL contract, unless he does not believe he is good enough to be a 1st rounder, which I can't believe that based on his completion percentage and low interception rate thus far.
He needs a great year in college with a good offensive line and a supporting cast and then a less crowded 1st round, would love to have him here doing that but if not here then some other college as the NFL route is a mistake if you are not a 1st rounder at QB.
