The days in Jacksonville started the same for Cam Ward: throwing sessions from 8 to 10 a.m., a short break, then a lifting session until early afternoon. No classes, no distractions — just focused prep for the 2024 NFL Draft, surrounded by other like-minded future pros at a training academy. He was ready for the NFL.
Except, he couldn’t shake one thought.
“I just thought there was more out there for me in college,” Ward told CBS Sports.
Fifteen months later, Ward’s draft prep is finally complete — the Tennessee Titans made Ward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Ward only stayed in the 2024 draft cycle for 13 days before pulling out to transfer to Miami, a decision that led to the Hurricanes’ first 10-win season since 2017 and launched Ward from fringe Day 2 prospect to the first player off the board Thursday night.
Those 13 days—and the uncertain weeks around them—reshaped the 2024 college football season and rewrote the 2025 draft. This is the behind-the-scenes story of what happened during a two-week diversion in Ward’s path from zero-star recruit to No. 1 overall pick.
“I think coming back changed his career in a way I couldn’t put into words,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said.
When I reported in December of 2023 that Ward was entering the transfer portal after his junior season at Washington State, it came with a caveat: “He’s expected to keep his options open in terms of the NFL Draft.”
He did, indeed.
Ward’s family had gathered feedback about entering the draft following the 2022 season, which was Ward’s debut at Washington State after transferring in from FCS Incarnate Word. It was a strong consideration then, with the league placing a Day 3 grade on him, but Ward…
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