Did Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward make some NFL groups elevate their eyebrows when he sat by way of half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday?
Ward did not play through the second half in a 42-41 loss to Iowa State. Earlier than he exited, the QB threw the 156th TD go of his profession, setting an FBS document. He completed 12-of-19 passing for 190 yards and three touchdowns.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal addressed the choice following the sport.
“All conferences with gamers and choices like that, we made them in non-public, we maintain them in non-public,” Cristobal stated, per ESPN. “So I am going to favor to not reply any questions because it pertains to that. However I do know he performed his greatest whereas he was in there.”
ESPN draft skilled Matt Miller thinks the selection will not have an effect on his inventory.
“I promise you zero groups care that Cam Ward solely performed a half tonight,” Miller wrote on his X account whereas watching Miami lose. “Transfer on. Nothing to see right here.”
Others will disagree with Miller’s take. Professional Soccer Discuss’s Michael David Smith defined expertise evaluators could frown on Ward leaving in the midst of a recreation.
“Even some NFL personnel evaluators who don’t have any downside with gamers opting out of bowls totally could have an issue with what Ward did,” wrote Smith in a chunk printed Sunday. “To play lengthy sufficient to pad your personal particular person stats, after which depart in the midst of a recreation whereas your teammates are combating to complete their seasons as winners, is not going to sit down proper with some within the NFL who’re contemplating whether or not to draft Ward.”
Ward seemingly took to the bench as a result of he did not wish to endure a significant harm, which might have an effect on his draft inventory. Nonetheless, he may’ve sat out of your complete recreation to keep away from a possible controversy.
Ward — a 2024 Heisman finalist — may nonetheless be one of many prime picks within the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay. In keeping with Tankathon’s mock draft, the New York Giants will take him with decide No. 3.
Nonetheless, groups could query him about his mid-game opt-out all through the draft course of.
