How Ward ended up at UM and something encouraging. And UM’s McCormick returns for 9th year

Part 2 of a four-part series on new Miami quarterback Cam Ward

A six-pack of notes on Ward, the former Washington State standout who will play one season at UM before moving onto the NFL:

▪ This was encouraging: Ward did some of his best work against ranked teams this past season.

He was immaculate in a 38-35 win against No. 14 Oregon State on Sept. 23, going 28 for 34 for 404 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

In a 28-24 loss at No. 9 Oregon on Oct. 21, Ward was 34 for 48 for 438 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

And in a 24-21 loss to No. 4 Washington on Nov. 25, Ward was 32 for 48 for 317 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

That’s a sterling 113.5 NFL passer rating in those games. As context, that rating would have led the NFL this season.

▪ According to a source, Ward and UM’s Collective agreed to the framework of an NIL deal in mid-December, an agreement that would pay him more than $1.5 million for one season, according to a person briefed on the terms.

Ward had visited UM and FSU, but the Canes felt good about their chances.

All of that led UM officials to believe he was likely coming. But Ward never gave UM a definite commitment at the time and told the Canes he was going to take some time to think about it, a UM official said.

Two weeks later, he called coach Mario Cristobal and told him that he was turning pro, a decision that surprised but did not shock Miami.

But Ward never signed with an agent and was flipping back and forth about whether to turn pro or go to UM. He never told UM he was having second thoughts. Ultimately, he changed his mind and decided to commit to UM.

“Once I declared, something always lingered in the back in my mind as far as going back to college,” Ward told The Athletic. “There were a lot of sleepless nights just thinking about it. I feel good about the decision and I’m excited.”

Ward’s father told Canesport that a UM official called Ward this past weekend simply to check in on him, and Ward told the Canes he had decided to come to UM and forego the NFL Draft for a year.

▪ Evaluators told Ward he could be a Day 2 pick (second or third round).

“At the end of the day, I think I’m a Day 1 quarterback,” Ward said. “I think coming back to college can solidify myself.”

▪ Ward told 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer: “Ever since I declared, I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep. It’s always been in the back of my mind, creeping up there. I feel like it’s a win-win situation.

“I can go [to Miami] behind a great head coach, great offensive coordinator in a great offense. I feel like I can improve my stock even more. There were a lot of things coming into the picture. But I love playing college football, and I feel like there’s just more left on the table for me.

“I think an ACC championship and getting into the College Football Playoff is possible. If you go back and watch their film from this past season, they have great talent returning. They have a great recruiting class.

“They have a great transfer portal group coming in. Miami, the team they’re putting together, I thought it’d be one of the best things in the country once we put it together in spring ball and fall camp.”

▪ Besides the NIL deal with UM’s Collective, Ward is expected to get a couple of other NIL sponsorship deals. A potential car deal also is in play; under NIL rules, players can sponsor an auto dealership and receive a free car to use while they’re playing college football. Former UM defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III is among Canes players who had a car deal in recent years.

“A good QB in the portal costs $1 million, $1.5, $2 million,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said in late November.

▪ If Ward had not changed his mind, UM planned to pursue Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa if he had received an NCAA waiver for another year of eligibility. But Tagovailoa was denied that waiver this week and will enter the NFL Draft.

Both Ward and Tagovailoa threw 25 touchdowns last season. Tagovailoa threw four more interceptions than Ward (11 to 7).

Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger, who committed to UM six days before Ward committed, has told UM that he still intends to enroll at Miami.

NEWS NOTE

Miami Hurricanes tight end Cam McCormick made history Thursday, when it was confirmed he will become the first player to exercise a ninth year of college football eligibility.

Because of past injuries, the NCAA last year authorized McCormick to play a ninth season in 2024 if he chose to. McCormick said during the season that he wasn’t sure if he would play another year of college football. But he announced on Thursday that he will return to UM for that ninth season.

McCormick began his college football career at Oregon in 2016 but has been healthy for only three full seasons.

“I love my teammates, my coaches, and the University of Miami,” McCormick said in a press release issued to The Oregonian. “Despite the challenges, I want to finish what we started together. The bond we share is everlasting and makes it all worthwhile.”

McCormick had eight catches for 62 yards in 13 games last season, his first at Miami, and was used primarily as a blocker. He played 564 snaps on offense for Miami, which were 10th most on the team, and was needed more than expected because of the lingering effects of starter Elijah Arroyo’s 2022 knee injury.

McCormick has 26 catches for 231 yards and four touchdowns in 36 games, mostly at Oregon.

Per The Oregonian, McCormick overcame an auditory processing disorder and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oregon before joining UM last spring. McCormick announced he will make a donation to the football team at Gallaudet, a school for the deaf.

“Cam is an amazing young man of service, a great athlete, hard worker, and a natural-born leader,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said in that press release. “His return is a testament to his character and the values he brings to our team. We are excited to have him back for the upcoming season.”

In other UM news, the Canes on Wednesday night received a transfer portal commitment from Washington safety Mishael Powell. Here’s a 6-pack on what the Canes are getting with Powell.

Here’s part 1 of our Cam Ward series, with feedback on Ward from Washington State radio analyst and former quarterback Alex Brink.

Up next in part 3 of our Ward series: More feedback on Ward from those who coached him or evaluated him in person.