Cam Ward issues strong warning to NFL teams that pass him up in 2025 Draft

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward was a top contender for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the college football season. He completed the 2024 season with a more than 67% completion rating for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, plus added 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He could potentially be the first player chosen overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here’s the controversy with Ward though. He sat out of the second half of the Hurricanes' Poptarts Bowl, which they lost 42-41 to Iowa State. At haltime, Ward had thrown for 190 yards and three touchdowns and Miami was in the lead 31-28. His first of the three touchdown passes broke the NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) career touchdown record with 156, surpassing Case Keenum (2007-11). As Ward chose to sit out the second half, and Miami went on to lose, however, he received a lot of criticism.

Ward defended his decision, saying that it was predetermined by him and the whole coaching staff, who “knew what I had on the line”. Miami coach Mario Cristobal also defended Ward’s decision, saying that the accusations that he quit on the team created a “false narrative”. Ward noted that people would have placed much less importance on the whole thing had Miami won the game.

Either way, it’s sure to be a talking point as the NFL Combine looms. Ward has already decided what his response will be to any scouts or teams who ask him about the decision.

“If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault” -Cam Ward to NFL teams

Ward has reportedly not decided if he’ll throw at the Combine, which begins Monday, February 24 in Indianapolis. However, he knows what he’ll say to anyone who believes he quit on his team, and issued a warning to those who pass on him because of it.

“Okay, you’re either going to draft me or you’re not,” Ward said Monday night. “If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.”

Ward’s comments came as he was about to receive the Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s top college quarterback. Ward also recently received the Manning Award. Those two awards were given to quarterback Jayden Daniels last year, before he went on to be taken second overall by the Washington Commanders.

Ward finished his college career with 158 touchdown passes and the third-most passing yards in NCAA history with 18,189 (6,908 at Incarnate Word, 6,968 at Washington State and 4,313 at Miami). He spent just one season with Miami and set the single-season record for yards, completions (309), touchdown passes (39), and completion percentage - both season and career.

We will see if Ward decides to throw at the Combine next week, but he did confirm that he’ll participate in Miami’s Pro Day, which begins February 27 and runs through March 2.

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