how good is cameron ward

He started laughing and said, Coach, thats exactly what we just talked about in our meeting room.. Top floor, didnt take the elevator I climbed my way up! Has the zip to hit tight windows on short and intermediate throws. A true-junior-to-be in 2022, Ward was nothing short of spectacular in captaining the Cardinals offense this fall. The data certainly points to a questionable outcome based on the limited sample we have. That was the first barrier to his recruitment. Ward still had multiple elite games in 2022 and had shown a very high baseline of play before that year. Two years ago, you wouldve been laughed at for suggesting it. Van Meter helped Ward improve his mechanics and footwork. Ukwu is a recent addition along the defensive front and the Rebels are hoping to sign wide receiver Zakhari Franklin from UTSA, the top-rated player still on the market. Aug 13, 2001 5,325 957 113. You knew exactly what you had to do. The next morning, while making his pitch for why Ward needed to join the Rebels, Kiffin delivered a line Calvin wont soon forget. Picking up Coleman after the April window is a major win. Van Meter taught him Air Raid basics like Y-Cross, Shallow and 6, but the first few weeks were predictably rough. Cameron Ward (@Cameron7Ward) January 8, 2022 At first glance, that is an, uh, eclectic group of schools. Getting coaches to recognize his upside was always the struggle. Whereas before Ward had only a handful of plays to memorize and no responsibility at the line, the Air Raid required Ward to do everything. Kinne as its next coach, and he brought Leftwich back as his OC. "Thank you to UIW that took a chance on me. There were certain things he needed to see himself. Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) March 18, 2021. Alexander was a big-time get recently after he left Georgia following spring camp. Ward got the same standard mailers every senior student gets from colleges asking them to apply. At Sallys suite, Adam sighs, False alarm, just like we hoped.. The concern I do have about his deep passing is accuracy, according to PFF, his downfield (20+) accuracy percent was 33%, this would have ranked 99th of 112 qualified quarterbacks last season. y taking so many transfers and expects to win now with the Cardinals as opposed to a rebuild. While Ward will require some development in this area as well discuss momentarily, hes shown some promising signs of development in this area during his first six games for Washington State. Intriguing player pic.twitter.com/elhN9tKn5l. It was just crazy the progress he was making, Diggs said. Washington State offered on Dec. 31, immediately after its bowl game ended. He was willing to take Ward as a walk-on but wasnt convinced he could pull off the transition to Jimbo Fishers offense. He went to Incarnate Word fully intending to win the starting job. Hot names: Jaheim Bell, TE (South Carolina); Fentrell Cypress, CB (Virginia);Keon Coleman, WR (Michigan State). Leftwich met with the quarterbacks and told them he was going to Pullman, too. His head coach at UIW, Eric Morris, is Washington State's new offensive coordinator. The coach believed those traits could translate to how he processed as a passer. Through six college games in the Spring 2021 season, Cameron Ward threw for 2,260 yards, 24 TDs, and just 4 INTs. Pro Football Network, LLC. Three years ago, when Ward had one FCS offer as the quarterback for a Wing-T offense in high school? His ability to be a coach on the sidelines.. That made it tougher to recruit. Who can blame them? Cameron said. Alexander was a big-time get recently after he left Georgia following spring camp. I like the confidence. Despite first-team All-District acknowledgment and an exciting athletic profile honed on the basketball court (Ward was a two-time All-District Offensive MVP), he was unranked by major recruiting sites and held just one college football scholarship offer from the University of the Incarnate Word. Morris took over Incarnate Word in 2018 after five seasons at Texas Tech as offensive coordinator under Kliff Kingsbury and brought his own take on the Air Raid with him. He had all the tools, but surely it would take time. Ward also has a quick release time, as showcased this season in WSUs short passing game. That offense was full quarterback driven, which is what excited me about going there.. Ward finished the drive with a 35-yard touchdown and threw for 306 yards, three more scores and no interceptions in a 48-20 victory. When Ward informed his parents that he planned to quit, they understood but urged him to go to practice the first day of fall camp and see how he felt. Ward couldnt figure out why at first and then the officer asked a question. Kliff Kingsbury coached Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech, Gardner Minshew is puttering around in the league and flashed at times, and Jared Goff is the current starter for the Detroit Lions. (Courtesy of Patrice Ward), (Prentice C. James / Cal Sport Media via AP Images). He had a powerful arm and the ability to improvise. For what its worth, recruiting site 247 seems to think Ward said things didnt really start to click until October or November. The problem: The only coaches who recruited him and believed he could play at this level were now gone. Youd only get to see it if the Roughnecks fell behind. 78 transfer class last spring, what a difference a year has made for Colorado after making one of the offseason's splashiest coaching hires. Ward joins a very young Vikings secondary, a group with only one player, Harrison Smith, 34, over the age of 25. Ward and his parents, Calvin and Patrice, arrived for their official visit on Saturday afternoon. Zappe broke NCAA records for passing yards and touchdowns in his only season at the FBS level and got the Hilltoppers into the Conference USA title game. Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. Trust me, it wasnt easy catching Cam, Van Meter said. The Seminoles landed multiple Power Five starters in the portal, including this cycle's second-best cornerback, Cypress. But arm talent alone doesnt always get you noticed in a state as big as Texas, and Wards limited tape didnt help. The disaster that was the Nick Rolovich tenure at Washington State likely resulted in a smoother, less sexy hire in Jake Dickert. He previously covered the Big 12 and recruiting for ESPN.com. The Seminoles landed multiple Power Five starters in the portal, including this cycle's second-best cornerback, Cypressfrom Virginia. Cameron texted his dad the news. Intel:Mike Norvelland the Seminoleshave one of the nation's most potent transfer hauls this cycle, continuing the program's momentum coming out of a 10-win season. He told Morris that, as crazy as it might sound, they needed to get Ward. For college fantasy thats fine! Um, it was different, Ward said. Good zip and ball placement on the quick slant. Follow Max on Twitter @max_olson, Kiffin pitched Ward on replacing Matt Corral at Ole Miss. In 2021, seven of the top ten teams in pass attempts per game above had quarterbacks that finished in the top 12 of points per game in college fantasy last season. Hot names: Javion Cohen, OL (Alabama);Matt Lee, OL (UCF); Francisco Mauigoa, LB (Washington State). The tough part was breaking the news to Copeland, who chose to transfer and is now a student at Texas Tech. The votes have been counted and Nicholas Cameron is the newest candidate elected to Summerside City Council.Ward 3: Summerside-North was previously . Sticks throws into tight windows over the middle, throwing to spot on slant or between zone defenders before the receiver is open. Said Tillman, They knew at the school he was at with that offense nobody was going to touch him.. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. He decided to focus on basketball. Its a moment that will likely see him catapult from tiny Incarnate Word, a private San Antonio school in the FCS ranks, to the Power Five level. He was like, Dad, Im telling you. Ward had the size. Ward was a two-time all-district MVP for Columbia Highs hoops team, and at one point considered a future in the sport. This fall, he led all FCS passer with 47 touchdowns to go along with 4,648 yards (third nationally) and a 65% completion rate. When Ward called Morris to commit, the coach sent a video of his son Jack excitedly jumping up and down on the familys hotel room bed. Hes confident, too, that his best ball is still to come. There were several examples of this in the Oregon game this season. 19 McNeese. 6 Southeastern Louisiana with a school-record 610 passing yards and seven touchdowns, including the game-winner with 25 seconds left in a wild 55-52 triumph. 134 overall. The ability to throw off-platform, the ability to throw from different angles. He took nearly 75% of the varsity 7on7 snaps and had begun to grow into his already impressive 6-foot-3 frame. The raw statistical output, in some aspects, is buoyed by the incredibly heavy pass rate and Morris adapted air raid system. Wards last camp of the summer was Incarnate Word. They had time to slow down and install the playbook in a low-pressure setting. WebWard Cameron was one of the main characters and the main antagonist in Outer Banks. Cameron Ward has a lot of ability and also a lot of familiarity with the new system Morris is bringing back to Pullman. by. Im going in to lead, he said, and try to win over the locker room, get with the guys, throw with them, help teach the offense, get in the film room, draw on the board with them, help our quarterbacks learn the system at a faster rate and try to get to know Coach Dickert more as a person.. 9 overall player in the transfer portal and the No. Nevertheless, there are multiple elements of improvement that we need to see before considering him in the upper echelons of the class. Next up, @Knighthawk7734 gives us the top eight pass-catching units in the NFC! She will never let him terrorize her again. He is portrayed by Charles Esten. By Tara Bitran March 3, 2023 SPOILER ALERT In Outer Banks nothings simple. He owns school records for career passing TDs (71) and yards (6,908). Ward currently holds a 93 rating in 247Sports transfer portal rankings. His intermediate (10-19 yards) accuracy percentage improves, ranked 66th of 112 players. Columbia High School runs a classic Wing-T offense. But I told him we were going to knock on every door, just keep working. Even Incarnate Word was hesitant to offer Ward, at least initially. On the headset after the play, Morris declared, Boys, weve got us a real quarterback.. His high-level understanding of the game and his ability is a rare combination, which is why so many programs recruited him when he entered the portal. But every time the Washington State quarterback takes the snap, you know youre about to embark on a journey, and youre not 100% sure where that journey is going to take you. The biggest question remaining for Ward is how he will play against FBS competition. He understood all the signals and route combinations, moved the ball and kept scoring. People were like, Whered this kid come from? Patrice Ward said. Texas may be the home of the Air Raid, but plenty of schools, especially in the smaller divisions, still run option schemes. He sounded defiant. The first is technical. He came away from the visit convinced there was something special about the kid that no one was seeing. The Wards hit as many camps and mega-camps as they could in the summer of 2019. An offensive scheme that is built around fundamental principles of the Air Raid offense, while Morris will surely use concepts that Ward was familiar with in his days at UIW, deploying a player framed within an impressive 6-foot-3 mold to captain the ship should see Washington State reap the reward of a passer only now coming into his own as a leader of an offense. He set single-game program records in passing touchdowns (7) and passing yards (610), and eclipsed school career records in passing touchdowns (71) and yards (6,908) in just two seasons at the helm. Will Clemson rise again? A couple pass-catching additions will provide immediate assistance. Thread starter Brent H. Start date Dec 5, 2021; B. Brent H. Hall Of Fame. His sub-300 pass attempts in high school and exclusive air raid offense at Incarnate Word paint the picture of a QB from which we still havent seen the best. There should be questions about Wards deep and intermediate game to be entirely transparent. He was like, Its not happening, Calvin said. Mauigoa could step into a starting role at the center of Miami's defense. If you can play, you can play. You watched him and it was like, golly, hes killing teams.. I feel like Im putting myself in the best situation to get where I want to go with my football career.. Kiffin was seeking a successor to likely first-rounder Matt Corral, so leaning into the NFL Draft pitch makes sense. But you learn from reps, and Ward got a ton. The family felt more comfortable once they met Jake Dickert, the Cougars newly promoted head coach. The arm strength. Willingness to pass deep and develop routes 20+ yards downfield is a drawback of the offense Eric Morris runs. They ghosted him after two traded text messages. Yet, whats more alluring is his ability to generate easy velocity from his arm. He thought hed earned an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job. The interim coach following Rolovichs firing, Dickert was granted the full-time role to lead the Cougars into the future. Not that Ward is finished climbing. The plans for his first official visit came together quickly: Liberty. He and his parents insist that wasnt the plan all along. For a guy like Cameron, he wasnt going to get close to that in his career, let alone one season.. The transition from the Wing-T to the Air Raid, the system then Incarnate Word head coach Eric Morris ran, was like jumping from sixth grade to college in terms of the course load for a quarterback. Morris and Leftwich did an in-home visit in January and extended the offer. The real question is what to make of his profile in the context of NFL potential. Book Giveaway For No One Needs to Know. WebLatest on Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN The Washington State QB is ambidextrous for good measure, throwing a perfect pass against Cal with his left hand despite being right-handed. Im just floored. He planned to play football no matter what, even if that meant going to Kilgore College, a JUCO in East Texas. Book Giveaway For No One Needs to Know. Steve Van Meter, a Texas high school coach for more than 35 years, saw rare arm talent from their first training session together: the way the ball jumped out of Wards hand, the velocity, the ability to throw from any angle. As described in the introduction to Wards 2023 NFL Draft scouting report, the Washington State quarterback is something of an enigma. First, while hes not a runner per se, he utilizes his mobility extremely well. Oklahoma needs improvement in several areas defensively and the team's new-look front seven should be considerably more potent in Year 2 of the Venables era. Using data from passes going 10+ yards (31.4%) of Wards passes, we get more insight into the offensive scheme than his abilities. But they were sure it was the right move. Dont get me wrong, hes not going to dust anyone off in the 40-yard dash, but for a player with his frame, the Washington State QB moves extremely well. He had fewer passing yards as a senior in 2019. Too often fails to give receivers a chance to make a play after the catch. PULLMAN In Washington States quarterback-driven offense, Cameron Ward is the key to ignition. This offseason is about working through the long to-do list that comes with trying to be QB1 at a new school. Coming out of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Cameron, a 6-foot-8 power forward, is considered a 5-star, while Cayden, a 6-foot-3 point guard, is a 4-star. Because Ward lacks prototypical size, he will likely have issues in the pocket. Enter for a chance to win a copy of No One Needs to Know! He spent his winter break on calls and Zoom meetings with coaches. Behind the 'Cinderella-like' rise of elite transfer QB Cameron Ward. Im glad I stuck with it.. Sure, he didnt doubt his chances there. These are still skills that Cameron Ward needs to develop still. by. Why did everyone miss on Ward? The two had good talks with Ward and tried to get him to stay. It was either that or go JUCO. Everything is bigger in Texas, especially as it relates to football. There's a couple College Football Playoff contenders who strengthened their case to be in the national title conversation, too. Additionally, there is a demand at the NFL level, and outside of the established frontrunners of the class, the supply of college quarterbacks is crying out for someone to separate themselves from the chasing pack as a legitimate first-round talent. Escaping pressure immediately, Ward buys himself time to get reset and make an impressive downfield throw. 2023 Draft Eligible Quarterback Deep Passing Production. They flash to Nick punching Cameron unconscious on a plane and then parachuting into a cornfield, where Cameron later told Nick that if he survives, hes dead. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. This isnt due to a lack of arm strength; its designed in this system. Chris Moxley (@chrismoxley19) gives his list of players to avoid at their ADP in Campus2Canton drafts. A highly sought-after transfer from Incarnate Word, an FCS program that calls the Southland Conference home, Cameron Ward has all the tools in his ever-growing bag to become one of CFBs biggest risers moving into the summer, toward future campaigns, and, eventually, the NFL draft circuit. Two days later, Ward missed a district basketball game so he could take a three-day official visit to San Antonio. He didn't get to arrive on campus until August because to the COVID-19 pandemic. But you cant really say anything about it because we would win. Additionally, the other two key metrics when projecting a high-end passive volume offense are pass attempts per game and pace. In 2021, Incarnate Word would have ranked third in pass attempts per game by 5.5 attempts over fourth and would have been fourth in plays per minute with Wake Forest. By product of the system, deep passes are generally limited. When they did, Wards talent quickly brought him to the forefront of the depth chart. Its a high football-IQ move, but its not something every quarterback can do successfully while maintaining accuracy. While I dont expect him to be a true dual-threat, mobility in the pocket and the ability to improvise with his legs are evident. Out of curiosity, the Ole Miss head coach looked up the tape of the FCS transfer quarterback. He doesnt simply take off scrambling for his life. All Rights Reserved. saltwire.com - Meoshe Thompson 12h. As a note the neutral game pass rate is excellent at determining what the offensive philosophy is independent of garbage time or obvious run situations. His placement in the face of pressure and the wall the ball jumps out of his hands is why the hype exists. If Ward continues to showcase development against some of the areas of improvement detailed within this scouting report, its not a ludicrous proposition to include him in the first-round conversation. Copyright 2019-2023. Cameron was excited, but he didnt show it, Patrice said. The moment still feels shocking to Ward. Cameron Ward. A talent that brings everything to the table that scouts fundamentally desire under center (ideal size, big arm, ability to maneuver and deliver outside the pocket accurately), his relationship and rapport with Morris, who will follow his quarterback to Washington State as the Cougars new offensive coordinator, has introduced Ward as one of the more intriguing stories heading into spring workouts in the next few months. His play in the Wing-T was fine, but he never attempted more than 20 passes in a game. They had scheduled a Dec. 12 game against Arkansas State that was later canceled and went through a month of fall camp in preparation. That is clear in Wards junior year numbers: 72 of 124 passing for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns. For a kid to get his second chance at recruiting and to see it unfold like this is Cinderella-like.. I think were gonna see him in the NFL.. I always hear an unwritten rule of scouting is theyd like to see a guy throw the ball 300 times before they offer him, Tillman said. Not that he cantbut the situation may not be conducive to it. No One Needs to Know. Ward was even better in the fall, producing unreal numbers 4,648 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and memorable performances in a 10-win season, the best in school history. Morris and Leftwich expected Ward to be a developmental prospect, one who might pay off two years down the road. The college football transfer portal's best available players in June. Take Me Home, @Volume Pigs Lincoln Riley has run it for years in Oklahoma, putting Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray into the NFL. Leftwich kept tabs on Ward, watching his senior film each week, but hed offered other passers. But soon enough, theyre all going to find out. Top floor, didn't take the elevator I climbed my way up! Its hard not to acknowledge how poor his offensive line has played, giving up pressures 29.3% of the time on deep passes, ranking second (in a bad way) in his respective class. Best Ive ever seen, he said. Standout FCS QB Ward transferring to Wash. St. Can Florida State pull this off? He said, Cameron, youre gonna be a first-round draft pick, Ward said. He won the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the top freshman in the FCS. First-year coach Deion Sanders promised upon his arrival his team would look entirely new after spring practice and he's made good on that bet. Hot names: Jordan Burch, DE (South Carolina); Traeshon Holden, WR (Alabama); Evan Williams, S (Fresno State); Khyree Jackson, CB (Alabama). Ward isnt always consistent in how he deploys his lower body, often making a throw while his upper and lower body are out of sync. Pro Football Network passionately delivers purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes and all these guys are proving thats not true. With another top-5 transfer class on the way in, now USC reloads its roster with several top-end players, including nine four-stars, per 247Sports' transfer ratings. The rise in Cameron Ward after his transfer from Incarnate Ward has been nothing short of a meme stock. The deluge of DMs and texts was exciting at first and then overwhelming. Heres another potential target hog to target in college fantasy West Virginias Devin Carter has a clear path to targets in 2023! There were probably six to 10 total plays.. While he has impressive arm strength, Wards deep-ball accuracy isnt always consistent, and this is likely a product of these lower-body mechanical issues. The arm talent is absurd. Former Incarnate Word star quarterback Cameron Ward announced on Monday that he will be transferring to Washington State. At the end of the day, Ward said, I know what I can do.. I took a chance on them and they took a chance on me. Cameron Ward: An Analytical Deep Dive. When de Laura entered the portal on Jan. 7, that provided clarity as well. Ward has been a raw statistical monster. But then Kiffin entered the picture. Ward had a different path. Under head coach Morris, Ward flourished in the modified air raid, helping lead the Cardinals to a 10-win season, a major accomplishment hopefully, the first of many. A once FCS star who tore apart the program records at his former spot, Wards transfer to Washington State opened up the opportunity to assert himself on the 2023 NFL Draft class. Intel: Coach Prime is coming and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight as it relates to talent accumulation through the portal. Hes always been confident he can play at college footballs highest level. Thats what makes Cameron Ward the most exciting enigma of this years transfer portal cycle. (33%*), 220 If youre catching 60 to 80 balls from Cam Ward on a Sunday, you better bring more than one pair of gloves because youre gonna wear those hands out.. Freeze has convinced 11 four-star transfers to join him on The Plains ahead of the 2023 season, including several defensive linemen that will assist in Auburn's all-new group of pass rushers. Ward threw for almost 500 yards and 5 TDs before ultimately coming up inches short of an upset of the defending FCS National Champions. Ward has a matrix-like ability to avoid contact as the pocket collapses around him, leaving defensive players flapping at the thin air that the Washington State QB used to inhabit. On the heels of a second-place finish in the Pac-12 North, the Cougars, and head coach Jake Dickert, have quickly maneuvered their sights past the foreground, onto the horizon, and toward the future on the broad shoulders of Ward, a talent to keep a keen eye on moving into the 2022 CFB season. He kept working. As a senior, in 10 games, Ward posted had only 109 attempts for 49 completions (45% completion percentage), 948 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. Ward played in a system that asked him to attempt, on average, 12 passes per game. But as I mentioned above, its not a skills question. Jayden de Laura, Washington State's starter last season, announced on Friday that he was entering the transfer portal and later Monday said he was heading to Arizona. He has been transparent on college football's new era of "free agency" and the importance of filling holes with proven commodities. They were recruiting superstars, the No. Ward recognizes he cant please everyone with the choice he made, but he made it for the right reasons. I didnt have to do too much, Ward said. His average 58% pass rate would have ranked eighth in the country in 2021. Hes springy and nimble on his toes, and this enables him to maneuver in and out of the pocket at a high level. Thats the only year we dont have pictures of Cameron playing football, Camerons mom, Patrice, said. I was messing up the base plays, the easy plays, Ward said. While each trait has boatloads of room to improve, its hard to deny the Pac-12s illustrious history of passers and how Ward could soon see his name rise in NFL circles as a name to bold come his time to declare. De Laura was named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Getting Ferrel, one of his best playmakers at Incarnate Word, is a big plus. At Sallys suite, Adam sighs, False alarm, just like we hoped.. 78 transfer class last spring, what a difference a year has made for Colorado after making one of the offseason's splashiest coaching hires. Ward was supposed to enroll at Incarnate Word in May of 2020. It made it a quick out for the Cougars. Ward went home and pondered whether to commit or keep going. Landing quarterback Jayden Daniels from Arizona State and others led to a division title in Year 1 as the SEC's surprise team and another top-5 transfer class could result in a Playoff berth at least that's the expectation in Baton Rouge for a preseason top-10 team. Good touch down the seam and on post-corner, flag routes to attack the defense vertically and horizontally. Ward still had multiple elite games in 2022 and had shown a very high baseline of play before that year. At 62 and 220 pounds, hes built to withstand the rigors of the professional game. Ward had an impressive offseason the summer following his freshman year of high school. A well-respected coach, Dickerts first move was the hiring of Incarnate Ward head coach Eric Morris as offensive coordinator. Cleveland Browns Comprehensive NFL Draft Review: Cameron Mitchell, CB Northwestern. There's a reason Florida State has been ranked inside the preseason top 15 in nearly all way-too-early polls this summer. A slightly tougher challenge. Dec 5, 2021 #1 As good as a baller, gamer, JDL is, he still occasionally struggles with his accuracy, incompletions, making bad throws into coverage, interceptions, BAD MECHANICS. If it aint broke, dont fix it.. He should provide an offensive jolt the Cougars have missed since the Leach era. Morris served as the offensive coordinator at Texas tech under Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Sharon tells Chance hes relentless and vicious. Ward wouldnt receive extended varsity reps until his junior year. I have no doubt the kid will make it in the NFL as a top quarterback, Tillman said. (44%*), 4.87 (O) Before he could reach the gate, a security officer walked up to him. Establishing that this situation is incredibly productive for QBs, its time to break down Ward. Ward had the measurables at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds. By December, the coaches knew. Thats a bunch of bullshit. The ability to adjust arm slot is something you see in high-end quarterback prospects. No school had a shot to see him live or watch a tape of him. Cameron Ward (@Cameron7Ward) January 11, 2022 Ward the fourth-highest rated quarterback in 247Sports transfer rankings chose WSU over an offer And at the FCS level, low-paid coaches make decent money on summer camp fees by inviting every kid on their board to camp, even those they dont want. The kid kept coming back, always eager to make the hour-long drive to Friendswood. In this regard, Ward is impressively developed. Despite starting at the earliest possible point, Ward has been nothing but statistically productive from Day 1. I didnt have reads to go through. It wasnt a little. The Wards got to Oxford and experienced everything theyd missed in 2019: limo rides, hotel suites, steak dinners and all the southern hospitality of big-time recruiting visits. Hes loyal to the people that are loyal to him.. Hell, you would assume this was a part-time player en route to a positional switch at the next level. Yes, hes been one the best quarterbacks in the FCS the last two seasons. The Washington State QB has top-tier physical tools as a passer that leave you drooling with anticipation of what he could bring to the NFL level when he gets there. Lindsay Cameron (Goodreads Author) Release date: May 09, 2023. Incarnate Word scheduled an in-home visit with Ward on Jan.23. The exit of Incarnate Word staff, the coaches that had believed in him and recruited him, saw Ward enter the transfer portal in December 2021. But Ward is noticeably thin on the field and weighed only 188 lbs. Both competed with Jaxson Dart this spring for QB1 honors in the fall. (19%*), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. By Matt Fries - June 1, 2023 The Minnesota Vikings took LSU DB Jay Ward with their fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, No. After landing the No. With 11 games of 300+ yards, the Cardinals quarterback was named the Southland Offensive Player of the Year and earned second-team FCS All-American accolades. Considering last season's disappointment in Mario Cristobal's first season, the Hurricanes are focused on bouncing back and hope some new blood from the portal and their 2023 freshman signing class can help out. The parents called it a mind-blowing weekend. Blessed to receive an offer from Arizona!! Out of curiosity, the Ole Miss head coach looked up the tape of Possesses an NFL arm. Hot names: Bear Alexander, DL (Georgia); Anthony Lucas, DL (Texas A&M); Dorian Singer, WR (Arizona); MarShawn Lloyd, RB (South Carolina). But at Washington State, he already knows exactly what hes doing. S.O.G., the son of God, remains the last American to Ward has proven he can read and diagnose coverages pre-snap and knows how to attack the coverage based on what hes read. at the combine despite his height and length. Things went so far Ward was told to take photos with the JV ahead of the 2017 season. Bet on the player and talent. He looks like a (younger) Patrick Mahomes. Only once did he throw 20. At this moment in time, Wards decision-making can be best described as questionable. Texas Southern said theyd offer but didnt follow through. They got who they wanted.. The family met with Morris at the end of the visit, and he asked if anyone had anything else to say. He led a 42-34 upset win at Texas State, the programs first victory over an FBS foe. Thats when the Cardinal extended Wards first ever committable offer. According to The Athletics profile on Ward, Kiffin courted Ward, telling him, Cameron, youre gonna be a first-round draft pick. Kiffins first choice at the time was Ward. I think it goes back to that West Columbia thing, that loyalty thing, Diggs said. Jan 26, 2022 44 Lane Kiffin was on a flight on a Friday when he found out about Cameron Ward. He liked hearing that. Ryan Leafs NFL career capitulation probably doesnt help outside perception, either. S.O.G., the son of God, remains the last American to win an Olympic gold medal. He brought a couple of his former players with him as well (Allen and offensive tackle Eric Miller). Thats how unexpected the rise of Washington State quarterback has been. Below, a throw Ward makes against Nicholls is impressive for a few reasons. Ward wouldnt be able to take more visits until January. His completion percentage jumped to 65% and he averaged 7.9 yards per attempt. Thursday, Cameron entered the transfer portal. Morris is a 36-year-old rising star in the college football sphere, coming from the Mike Leach coaching tree. Its not about proving everyone wrong, either. Again, this isnt always apparent for some college QBs. Its a component of it, but not in its entirety. College prospect, possible future draft pick with Here's a glance at college football's top portal classes for 2023 entering the summer: Hot names: Marcus Washington, CB (Georgia); Jamari Thrash, WR (Georgia State); Brady Allen, QB (Purdue). Incarnate Word was the last camp Ward attended his junior summer. Then came the playoffs. He saw a quarterback with the skill set and mindset to be special. The ones Leftwich pursued didnt want to sit for two years. Then word came through the grapevine: Ward might not even be on varsity as a sophomore. Amid all the enticing offers and excess flattery, Ward ultimately prioritized loyalty. To underscore how impressive Wards arm is, the throw below gives insight into the pure arm talent. On more than one occasion early in his time with the Cardinal, Ward accidentally handed the ball off in play-action situations. Ward is undeniably a must-watch college football quarterback, but does he have what it takes to break into the top group of quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft? He turned the elusive trick in 2004 Athens Games by upsetting the favored Utkirbek Haydarov of Uzbekistan in the semifinals and beating Mahamed Welcome to Power 5 football. Ward won the Jerry Rice Award during the spring season at Incarnate Ward (a private university in San Antonio). The Word will always have a special place in my heart.". On the bus ride home from Huntsville that night, Ward scrolled through Twitter and saw the news that broke one hour after the season ended: Morris was taking the offensive coordinator job at Washington State. He actually attempted fewer passes (109) as a senior as he did as a junior (124) when West Columbia had a few spread-influenced plays. Can he be an effective deep passer with an excellent arm but limited experience? Cameron Ward airs it out for 7-yard touchdown. It wasnt punished in the games studied, but it will be at the next level. Well see, but there are still questions about his developmental trajectory. Whatever school gets him will get a guy not able to grow the program but take off. Doesn't decipher information as quickly as you would like, but does see the entire field and understands coverage. We just saw this approach work at Western Kentucky, where Zach Kittley Morris former grad assistant at Texas Tech brought Bailey Zappe and his receivers with him from Houston Baptist. Enter former defensive coordinator Jake Dickert. One thing to keep in mind during all this analysis is that Ward is still a developing player. WebCheck out Cameron Ward's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com He has already done that. Potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect. Again, not a huge concern as it would have been between C.J. Wards passing skills were good enough to lead his team to the 7-on-7 state tournament, but recruiters wont find you there. NCAA Baseball Tournament: Regional picks, predictions as 2023 bracket begins, have one of the nation's most potent transfer hauls this cycle. Ward has been a constant presence in early mocks for the 2023 NFL Draft, and its easy to see why. I felt like he was going to have a place, Calvin said. Cameron called his dad before boarding the charter bus to Louisiana and mentioned they were 12-point underdogs. I see you just got an offer from Indiana, where are you going right now?. Yet when he entered the transfer portal in December, Ward became one of the hottest names on the market. One thing to keep in mind during all this analysis is that Ward is still a developing player. However, despite the wide world of data, FCS game data does not currently have neutral game script pass rate data, hence why were using Morris tenure at Texas Tech as a proxy for now. Ward was a wealthy businessman and portrays himself as However, if Ward doesnt develop in those areas during the next two months, a return to school could pay substantial dividends as it pertains to his NFL draft stock. Hot names: Dasan McCullough, LB (Indiana); Rondell Bothroyd, DL (Wake Forest); Austin Stogner, TE (South Carolina). Hes an exciting and talented individual with high-level physical tools, and therefore, incredible upside. Beating out incumbent Jon Copeland in 2020, he has gone above and beyond impressive coaches at every step of the process. With a rebuilt Browns defensive line in 2023, Ward While his ability as a mobile quarterback is exciting, Wards scouting report becomes really enticing when you consider what he can do with the ball in his hands. Incarnate Word hired UCFs G.J. Chris Moxley (@chrismoxley19) provides his take on why elite tight end production helps win fantasy leagues and brings the most value over replacement. Kiffin loves the portal and has made transfer recruiting a significant piece of the roster-building puzzle in Oxford. And he cant wait for everyone to see what he means. "The memories I've made at UIW will last a lifetime. Although he spent some time in the medical tent against Cal, Ward hasnt missed any game time during his career as a result of injury. Thats something that continually shows on Wards tape. He was handed the keys to a GMC Sierra truck upon his arrival thanks to an NIL partnership and already has more deals lined up. Ward wasnt looking to leave Incarnate Word. Their two-year project took three months. saltwire.com - Meoshe Thompson 12h. He'll be a vital piece of the receiver group at Oregon this season following the departure of Dont'e Thornton, who transferred to Tennessee. Calvin was stunned. Washington State boosters stepped up and showed their loyalty by taking care of Ward. Before that, he was a zero-star recruit from small-town West Columbia, Texas, with one scholarship offer. The physical tools are outstanding, with the arm talent and creative mobility extremely alluring. A couple pass-catching additions will provide immediate assistance. Midtier QBs under the radar? There's a reason Florida State has been ranked inside the preseason top 15 in nearly all way-too-early polls this summer. Then again, as he reminded the Wards when he said it, Kiffin knows what hes talking about. To his credit, Freeze was understanding and supportive. Everyone said no to Ward. Calvin emailed and phoned schools constantly to try to generate interest. Ward does possess plenty of arm strength, and that was evident in his ability to push the ball downfield during the games studied. Florida State added elite weaponry to an already talented offense while USC and LSU bolstered their respective two-deeps with immediate aid. Things were far from smooth upon arrival. For Ward, though, the decision really came down to trust and the lesson he learned in high school: In order to play to the best of your ability, the offense you play in matters. Based on the above film, its evident Ward can make deep throws with relative consistency. He has only played in one game against an FBS team in his career. SOD previewed that Cameron will set up Nick so as to get him out of the way and will be successful. With his former head coach heading to Pullman, Ward committed to Washington State, leaving Incarnate Word as the program record holder for career passing touchdowns (71) and passing yardage (6,908). All three metrics work together, but a quicker pace produces the most pass heaviest offenses when combined with a high pass rate. Under Kingsbury, Morris went extremely pass-heavy with a 58% neutral game script pass rate in his tenure as offensive coordinator, including coaching Patrick Mahomes. Gets the ball from one hash to the opposite sideline in a hurry. No One Needs to Know. , continuing the program's momentum coming out of a 10-win season. Not only make checks but signals to everyone. 3 quarterback, behind only former five-star prospects Caleb Williams and Quinn Ewers. A highly sought-after transfer from Incarnate Word, an FCS program that calls the Southland Conference home, Cameron Ward has all the tools in his ever-growing Im gonna go beat him out.. This underscores some of the questions about Ward. Ward flew out to Lynchburg and started his visit that Friday. Could he fit in Kiffins system, earn the starting job and succeed at Ole Miss? Leaving Incarnate Word was hard. Cameron Ward throws 34-yard touchdown pass to Robert Ferrel, Cameron Ward scores 14-yard rushing touchdown, Cameron Ward runs for a 17-yard Washington State TD. Being told he might end up on JV was a disheartening blow. As we get closer to the line of scrimmage, the pass rate goes up and while Ward follows his trend, it still lags his peers. Wards dad, Calvin, called it small-town politics.. Extremely talented while being unnervingly unpredictable, can Ward impose himself upon the upper echelons of the NFL draft quarterback prospects? To those whove watched Ward on tape and those whove worked with him closely, theres zero doubt Ward has the natural talent to continue along his unusual path to the NFL Draft. He was ready for the next step in his hard-earned journey. Good balance, fluid motion, great throw. With this ludicrous velocity generation, Ward is able to zip the ball into tight windows in the short and intermediate ranges with ease. Intel: It didn't take long at all for Louisville first-year coach Jeff Brohm to entice more than two dozen transfers to his program in the ACC. With another top-5 transfer class on the way in, now USC reloads its roster with several top-end players, including nine four-stars, per 247Sports' transfer ratings. For them, I think it was a family pride thing, Diggs said. And hes been like that ever since. He threw for 2,260 yards and an FCS-leading 24 touchdowns in the six-game season, averaging 50 passes per game and winning the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in FCS. Hes not focused on personal goals as this process begins. He couldnt find any takers. His mom and dad werent going to move him out of West Columbia. Bringing his son at QB with him in addition to Hunter gives the Buffaloes talent at the skill spots. Hes also able to make the difficult throws from the far hash to outside the numbers. The Tigers landed a much-needed quarterback too in Thorne, doing so after the two-week April window. Ward only built on that play during the fall season. Putting on an absolute show in this game pic.twitter.com/QWbJWe0fnt. In their second scrimmage, Ward put it all together. Try a week on us. https://twitter.com/WSUCougarFB/status/1480706360878665729 Intel: Dan Lanning and the Ducks signed six transfers with the four-star title, including Burch, who was the Gamecocks' top pass rusher last season. With a rebuilt Browns defensive line in 2023, Ward might put himself back among the very best." While his success at Incarnate Word mostly saw him stand tall and deliver as a true pocket passer, his impressive dual-threat ability shown when provided the opportunity to work on RPOs and on designed bootlegs really begins to widen the frame on the type of talent Ward could become when inserted into the Cougars high-octane attack. Winner of his conferences Offensive Player of the Year award, Ward was also selected as an FCS All-American (second team) and was additionally named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, an honor annually given to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS football. Rating: 82.5 Rank: #14 Forty: 4.87 Mentally, Ward was able to make checks at the line of scrimmage and manage the run game. From an arm-talent perspective, few quarterbacks can accomplish some of the things Ward can. Im not ready to knock his deep pass rate, especially when elite quarterbacks in his respective class have not done so at a higher and consistent level. He knows what its going to take. This is the story behind Wards two recruitments: the one two years ago when nobody else wanted him and the one this winter that brought more options, more fame and more pressure. And Cam has everything. He had a hard time proving what he could become. His head spun. Theyve always been close. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. For Cameron, the chance to play in front of 64,000 instead of 6,000 was eye-opening. Texas A&M offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey was interested, but he was also close to landing five-star Haynes King. Its legitimately special arm talent. Morris not only has a traditionally pass-heavy offense but plays at an incredible pace allowing an average of 49.8 pass attempts per game. His parents live down the street from Diggs mother in Angleton, and Ward grew up going to Diggs games. Incarnate Words 2020 fall season was canceled due to the pandemic, a disappointment that proved remarkably beneficial for Wards development. Morris watched how he competed, how he led, how he saw the floor. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. So, lets take a look at how Ward shapes up ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, starting with the strengths that the enigmatic former FCS quarterback brings to the table. This inconsistency is made up of several factors. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). But that dude is an All-American, Calvin reminded him. Ten years ago or so, youd hear, Well, hes just a system quarterback, Van Meter said. Interestingly, most defensive-minded coaches go conservative with their hires, but Morris is the exact opposite. The review of each position group in the NFL by @Knighthawk7734 continues, this time, Copyright () 2023 | Campus 2 Canton | Designed by, YouTube Video VVVBdGtRNkIwc1NZUHJ5WFNxUXIxb3JBLnRPTkl0ZGE3ZXdr, resulting in a lawsuit based on retaliation. They had heard no rumors or hints about Morris leaving until that moment. Its a rise, from unranked recruit to FCS All-American to one of the top players in the transfer portal, that almost never happens. RELATED: Successions Finale Promises the Roys Will Continue in Power For Now. Former Browns TE Heading to Chicago Bears. No matter how hard Calvin and Tillman pushed schools on Ward, the evaluators couldnt get past his high school system. This is still a player who averaged under 12 pass attempts per game in high school. One program doing everything it can to transfer-infuse its roster is Colorado. Will Ward declare in 2023 if he meets, admittedly high expectations? The casual college football fan has never heard of him. Its the backs, not the quarterback, who put up the stats. The votes have been counted and Nicholas Cameron is the newest candidate elected to Summerside City Council.Ward 3: Summerside-North was previously . Lloyd was South Carolina's leading rusher last season, while Singer starred at Arizona, recording 66 catches for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns. Ward has good arm talent, and it Incarnate Word 2021 Production In Comparison to 2021s Top FBS Passing Teams. They pitched Ward on playing in an offense that threw the ball 50 times a game with Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech and was averaging 41 per game at UIW. WebPotential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect. Hot names: Payton Thorne, QB (Michigan State); Justin Rogers, DL (Kentucky); Avery Jones, OL (ECU); Caleb Burton, WR (Ohio State). His ability to throw off-platform when necessary using his above-average mobility gives teams a lot of different ways to leverage his skill set. Whether its season-spanning treasure hunts or parental relations, things are All Rights Reserved. Straight off the bat, Ward has a tick in his box as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect. Several college staffers have told 247Sports they consider Ward a generational talent. A few others have questioned how far along he is as a passer after a stunted high school development and just two years at Incarnate Word. Getting the signals and telling the O-line what theyre supposed to do was the hardest thing.. He just wanted the opportunity to compete on that level.. Ward ran with the third-team for most of fall camp. Ole Miss had to hurry to get Ward on campus and asked if he could visit on Saturday. But Ward left camp without an offer while another QB had one in hand. A day after Incarnate Word All-American quarterback Cameron Ward entered the transfer portal, Ward went to the airport to take a visit to Liberty. First-year coach Deion Sanders promised. I know Im playing in front of a whole lot more people now, Ward said. Thats where he was born and raised. This roster is loaded and is now comparable to Clemson at the top of the ACC. Hot names: Travis Hunter, WR/CB (Jackson State); Shedeur Sanders, QB (Jackson State); Alton McCaskill, RB (Houston). He understands John B's struggles and even becomes his legal guardian, saving him from leaving his friends (19%*), 4.44 (HS) For a quarterback, ball security is job security. These were Wards own words after throwing an interception in Washington States win over Cal. Sure, one could dismiss a statement like that as the excessive praise that comes with recruiting battles. Ward has good arm talent, and it could get better as he polishes his mechanics and footwork. He didnt have the film. Ward joined Washington State two days after his commitment and is already hard at work. We just didnt know where. He decided to stick with Eric Morris, the Incarnate Word coach who bet on him, and followed him to Washington State. He lit things up. A black box prospect who would need substantial development to operate a collegiate offense. Incarnate Words spring season began in February at No. Being around his friends convinced him to stick it out. This will, in no uncertain terms, be one of the countrys pass heaviest offenses in 2022. Cameron Ward is doing video game things today. Except they failed to shine so brightly on a talented dual-threat QB out of West Columbia, Texas, whose Columbia High School Wing-T offense limited opportunities to showcase what would later turn out to be a sensational arm talent. Christian Mahogany Will Soon Add To Boston Colleges NFL Pipeline, Garret Greenfield, Mason McCormick Striving To Be The Best, Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine. He had no idea who would replace them or what offense theyd run. Ward hasnt found the need to pass deep often. The Tigers landed a much-needed quarterback too in Thorne, doing so after the two-week April window. His parents assured him theyd travel to every game no matter where he plays. He turned the elusive trick in 2004 Athens Games by upsetting the favored Utkirbek Haydarov of Uzbekistan in the semifinals and beating Mahamed In 2021, only 13.7% of Wards attempts were 20+ yards downfield. This can be a difficult skill for dual-threat QBs to master, as they routinely rely on their legs rather than waiting for the play to unfold. He was named the starter in December ahead of what would prove to be a spring season. Either way, Ward will make a decision soon. Connelly breaks down the ACC. Athleticism isnt just speed, and this manifests itself in Ward in the form of incredible change-of-direction ability. I expect Top12 production from Ward this season and am drafting him as such. Debating NFL draft questions, top risers: Stock up on Hendon Hooker? The University of Incarnate Word 's quarterback Cameron Ward is out. Cameron Ward (@Cameron7Ward) January 11, 2022 Ward won the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in FCS during the 2021 spring season at the private He was mostly handing off, pitching and carrying out fakes. Early this year, 247s Chris Hummer commented, Ive had FBS personnel tell me Cameron Ward is a borderline generational talent on Cougarfan.com. He put in the work, picked up his pace and started gaining confidence in November. Ward Cameron seems like a reasonable guy at first. Harris and Alexander are the most notable gets this time around and both will play a ton of snaps at cornerback. Incarnate Word already had Jon Copeland, who had earned All-America honors in his first two seasons and owned all the school passing records. In an abbreviated spring season, Ward threw for 2,260 yards, 24 touchdowns against four interceptions while completing 60% of his passes. When an anonymous neighborhood forum gets hacked, the darkest secrets of New Yorks wealthiest residents come to lightincluding Five days later, Ward put his name in the portal. He worked harder, trusting it would eventually work out. Cameron (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) entering the portal is largely a reaction to Incarnate Word head coach Eric Morris leaving to take an offensive coordinator role at Washington State. Considering last season's disappointment in Mario Cristobal's first season, the Hurricanes are focused on bouncing back and hope some new blood from the portal and their 2023 freshman signing class can help out. He needed to know if he had options and couldnt afford to wait. USC signed the top-ranked transfer class in the 2022 cycle ahead of Lincoln Riley's first season and it paid off in a big way after the Trojans flipped the roster en route to a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Thats not how Ward saw it. S.O.G., the son of God, remains the last American to win an Olympic gold medal. The sophomore QB led Incarnate Word to a best-ever 10-3 finish, with a trip to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. A mere flick of the wrist sends the ball shooting out of Wards grip like a bullet train speeding out of a Japanese train station. He promised to reshape Colorado's roster quickly and he's doing just that. All the routes were either one or two-receiver routes. There were also multiple examples of him getting too deep in his dropback. An SEC school that continually finishes with 9-10 wins in the SEC West should tell you everything you need to know about how highly regarded he is. Kiffin wanted to get him on campus immediately. Accuracy Percentage is nominally important because it tries to isolate the surrounding situation like bad receivers (especially true at Incarnate Word). He can be prone to throwing before hes properly set, and this has an impact on his accuracy. Washington State QB Cam Ward is an Intriguing Sleeper in t We saw last season that NFL teams arent necessarily willing to gamble on physical tools which, at this present moment in time, youd be doing with Ward. Even if you dont buy what the rankers and evaluators at Campus2Canton are selling, the smoke surrounding this fire is too much to ignore. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Furthermore, despite showcasing pocket awareness and maneuverability, Ward can sometimes run into trouble behind the line of scrimmage with his decisions, as evidenced against USC. Completing 65.1% of his passes, Ward threw for 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. Over time, weve seen volume matters. Most of the time he is at ease mentally in the pocket, and hes willing to stand in and absorb hits while making a throw. Chris Moxley (@ChrisMoxley19) previews the Texas @ Alabama matchup for the 2023 season, Take Me Home, @Volume Pigs For even his longtime supporters like Diggs, who got ESPN+ just to watch his games, the spring debut was stunning. One team was in the Conference USA (Western Kentucky), and another will play in the Pac-12. By the end of the weekend, Ward had committed to Incarnate Word. Unfathomable. Although the global pandemic pushed the FCS to a shortened spring season, Ward forced himself into starting consideration and ultimately set program records while earning the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS on the back of 2,260 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in just six games. As mentioned above, he can be prone to making throws into double coverage that are just asking to be picked off. He had four more months to learn and catch up.

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