QB Decision Update (NEW YEARS DAY ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE LEAGUE)

[Warrior808]

The NFL thing shouldn't have come as such a big surprise, they were saying it from the jump.

It was even brought up when Ward first entered the portal. This is from the Athletic back on Dec 1st;

Don’t be surprised if Ward ultimately prefers to go pro at the end of this process. The draft feedback he has received so far puts him in the rounds 2-5 range, according to a source close to the player. But while he seeks clarity on his draft stock, it’s certainly possible that a contender will make him an offer he can’t turn down.

Im guessing the source close to the player would his father.

 

[cway313]

X 246

 

[P-Tizzle]

I wouldn't go that far. I'd say his camp has (at least publicly since I along with 99% of us have no insight into the private discussions unfolding) have handled this fairly straightforward. It's Miami that seems to be just fumbling over themselves from a public perspective. The Howard courting seemed promising at first from a process perspective, though now it seems to have simply been a half-assed attempt to drum up fake competitive tension that we folded on fast. If Miami was going to do a true 'first man to accept' scenario as was claimed here originally, they folded rapidly. Since that first week, what has Miami done right? No movement on bringing any incremental names to campus, us drawing and re-drawing a line in the sand on our communicated "deadline," and a desperate social media hashtag campaign? A rumor of us being intrigued by KJ Jefferson (not even a scheduled visit) is not going to bother their camp. Miami needs Ward IMO more than he needs us, and we only furthered the issue here by designing a poor process it seems.

The good news is, just because that is true, does not mean that this wouldn't be a highly beneficial opportunity for both parties. Ward also objectively has risk on his side in making a poor decision (can easily be a camp cut in the wrong circumstance, as he shows some bad habits on tape and the NFL employs a much more conservative approach to QB play still than college, willing to accept less boom for less bust. It's how someone like Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning get snaps). Caveat of course iss, this is just my outside in assessment on something 100x more nuanced given again, I have zero insight into nature of discussions other than what's posted here and being communicated to reporters.

If deal falls through and he goes to NFL (really don't want to entertain him going to FSU), Miami should try to see who can be coaxed into portal. I know Pratt opted out of the bowl game and announced he would be in the Senior Bowl, but is he really formally declared or still 'monitoring?' E.g. I'm going to the NFL unless Miami has an opening and $2mm to throw at me. Other names I'd look at are Klubnik at Clemson, Fifita at Arizona, or Jalon Daniels at Kansas

 

[BeastMode]

It is Ward but Mario also has to make a decision to move on, bring other guys in on visits, etc.

Never should have let it go this long with that kind of money on the table.

He has till the dead period ends. If he hasn’t committed by then, you have to bring Jefferson and others in for visits/offer.

 

[JD08]

Ward continues to be really hard on all us beavers

@JamesQuall

 

[USNAVYCANE]

The NFL thing shouldn't have come as such a big surprise, they were saying it from the jump.

It was even brought up when Ward first entered the portal. This is from the Athletic back on Dec 1st;

Don’t be surprised if Ward ultimately prefers to go pro at the end of this process. The draft feedback he has received so far puts him in the rounds 2-5 range, according to a source close to the player. But while he seeks clarity on his draft stock, it’s certainly possible that a contender will make him an offer he can’t turn down.

Im guessing the source close to the player would his father.

Round 2 is a big reach that’s like if everything just falls perfectly into place and a GM just for some reason thinks they’re smarter than everyone else( Think Tebow getting drafted first round) . Most likely he’ll be mid 3rd round or later

 

[Pentagon Cane]

It is Ward but Mario also has to make a decision to move on, bring other guys in on visits, etc.

Never should have let it go this long with that kind of money on the table.

I would think we will see visits once the dead period is over.

Howard and Jefferson have not committed. They will maintain their leverage which will increase significantly after Ward decides.

 

[RobertMarveMania]

Wonder if Joe Milton declaring aids us in any way? Another name at QB with #tools

 

[JamesQuall]

Ward continues to be really hard on all us beavers

@Ispyin That was bad.

@JD08 It's great to have Maudes looking out as well.

 

[Warrior808]

Round 2 is a big reach that’s like if everything just falls perfectly into place and a GM just for some reason thinks they’re smarter than everyone else( Think Tebow getting drafted first round) . Most likely he’ll be mid 3rd round or later

Also note, thats not the Athletics draft projection. The 2-5 round range is "according to a source close to the player".
Big difference. That "source" could be his father and he could be getting fed all kinds of optimistic projections from agents looking to sign his son.

 

[JD08]

@Ispyin That was bad.

@JD08 It's great to have Maudes looking out as well.

 

[RVACane]

Well, I guessed wrong. I figured it was done and they were just waiting to announce after the bowl game.

 

[CaneMutiny06]

Also note, thats not the Athletics draft projection. The 2-5 round range is "according to a source close to the player".
Big difference. That "source" could be his father and he could be getting fed all kinds of optimistic projections from agents looking to sign his son.

Or just using it to leverage NIL offers. There’s close to zero chance he goes in the 2nd round. Better possibility he goes in the 7th than 2nd.

 

[bacane]

Imo it’s been Miami vs the NFL. The Nil side was VERY confident and some players thought he was coming from what they were told on the visit. He wanted to take visits and enjoy the process since he‘s never been a wanted , high level recruit but the NFL stuff was a bit of a surprise. Like I said I viewed it as a ploy to work against UM , to squeeze a tad more leverage out of this but maybe it’s a legit threat. I‘d still be shocked if he chose the league. He can play well here while making bank and shoot up boards for the draft in a 25 draft that won’t be as deep.

This makes the most sense.

 

[Tad Footeball]

Getting drafted that late he’ll be depending a lot of wild stuff happening for him to play or even making a roster. It’s a crazy gamble.

Versus coming here (or even elsewhere), pocketing a guaranteed (couple?) mil, and hopefully dramatically improving his Draft stock.

Worst case (barring catastrophic injury that he could theoretically get insurance for), is he doesn't do anything exceptional on the field next season but even then- he got PAID on the college level and would still have his pro day and the Combine next year to get drafted at a spot probably no worse than he would if he comes our now.

 

[Tad Footeball]

The NFL thing shouldn't have come as such a big surprise, they were saying it from the jump.

It was even brought up when Ward first entered the portal. This is from the Athletic back on Dec 1st;

Don’t be surprised if Ward ultimately prefers to go pro at the end of this process. The draft feedback he has received so far puts him in the rounds 2-5 range, according to a source close to the player. But while he seeks clarity on his draft stock, it’s certainly possible that a contender will make him an offer he can’t turn down.

Im guessing the source close to the player would his father.

It's not his dad. It's Pete "The Beard" Rosenhaus. I think Uncle Puke's wife works at that agency too.

 

[Theu954]

Versus coming here (or even elsewhere), pocketing a guaranteed (couple?) mil, and hopefully dramatically improving his Draft stock.

Worst case (barring catastrophic injury that he could theoretically get insurance for), is he doesn't do anything exceptional on the field next season but even then- he got PAID on the college level and would still have his pro day and the Combine next year to get drafted at a spot probably no worse than he would if he comes our now.

Don’t forget the no state taxes on that 1.5mil ( whatever the actually numbers are)

 

[N.M.B. Cane]

AlI wouldn't go that far. I'd say his camp has (at least publicly since I along with 99% of us have no insight into the private discussions unfolding) have handled this fairly straightforward. It's Miami that seems to be just fumbling over themselves from a public perspective. The Howard courting seemed promising at first from a process perspective, though now it seems to have simply been a half-assed attempt to drum up fake competitive tension that we folded on fast. If Miami was going to do a true 'first man to accept' scenario as was claimed here originally, they folded rapidly. Since that first week, what has Miami done right? No movement on bringing any incremental names to campus, us drawing and re-drawing a line in the sand on our communicated "deadline," and a desperate social media hashtag campaign? A rumor of us being intrigued by KJ Jefferson (not even a scheduled visit) is not going to bother their camp. Miami needs Ward IMO more than he needs us, and we only furthered the issue here by designing a poor process it seems.

The good news is, just because that is true, does not mean that this wouldn't be a highly beneficial opportunity for both parties. Ward also objectively has risk on his side in making a poor decision (can easily be a camp cut in the wrong circumstance, as he shows some bad habits on tape and the NFL employs a much more conservative approach to QB play still than college, willing to accept less boom for less bust. It's how someone like Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning get snaps). Caveat of course iss, this is just my outside in assessment on something 100x more nuanced given again, I have zero insight into nature of discussions other than what's posted here and being communicated to reporters.

If deal falls through and he goes to NFL (really don't want to entertain him going to FSU), Miami should try to see who can be coaxed into portal. I know Pratt opted out of the bowl game and announced he would be in the Senior Bowl, but is he really formally declared or still 'monitoring?' E.g. I'm going to the NFL unless Miami has an opening and $2mm to throw at me. Other names I'd look at are Klubnik at Clemson, Fifita at Arizona, or Jalon Daniels at Kansas

 

[Alex Del Piero]

Also note, thats not the Athletics draft projection. The 2-5 round range is "according to a source close to the player".
Big difference. That "source" could be his father and he could be getting fed all kinds of optimistic projections from agents looking to sign his son.

According to a source close to me I should be dating Ana De Armas

 

[NC_Canes_11]

The NFL thing shouldn't have come as such a big surprise, they were saying it from the jump.

It was even brought up when Ward first entered the portal. This is from the Athletic back on Dec 1st;

Don’t be surprised if Ward ultimately prefers to go pro at the end of this process. The draft feedback he has received so far puts him in the rounds 2-5 range, according to a source close to the player. But while he seeks clarity on his draft stock, it’s certainly possible that a contender will make him an offer he can’t turn down.

Im guessing the source close to the player would his father.

Professionals have told him rounds 2-5? Lmao I need to quit my job and become a scout. I can give draft grades that encompass 60% of the entire draft.

“What’s should I do with my future?”

“Well son, if you enter the draft You’ll get picked somewhere before the end of the 7th.”