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Miami Hurricanes quarterback the Heisman Trophy frontrunner after blazing four game start

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Jon Helmkamp | Last updated Sep 22, 2024 4:11 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes are for real, and quarterback Cam Ward is a primary reason why. Although he's gone against modest competition so far, he looks like one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country.

Ward currently is the frontrunner in the Heisman Trophy odds, and there's plenty of reasons why it's more than justified.

Through four games, Ward has completed 72.4% of his passes for 1,439 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He's gone over 300 passing yards and at least three touchdowns in every game. He's currently second in the country in passing yards per game (359.75) behind Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss.

Ward is doing this while leading the Miami Hurricanes to a 4-0 start, and the team has scored over 50 points in three of their four games. On Saturday, Ward could have easily padded the stat line with a few more touchdowns (yes, seriously – a few more), but down around the goal line, Miami used their hammer, running back Damien Martinez, to punch in three touchdowns.

Ward even told his opponent exactly what was coming, and they couldn't stop it.

More importantly, Ward is playing with incredible calm and poise. His pocket presence looks great. He seemingly never looks fazed in the backfield, he's proven to have the ability to lead long drives, while also having the ability to put it on his playmakers for huge explosive plays.

Can Ward legitimately win the Heisman? If this Miami team continues on the trajectory that they're on, making a run at the ACC, then it's absolutely possible. Their remaining schedule doesn't pose many huge threats, with No. 19 Louisville the only ranked opponent left on their schedule.

Ward has an opportunity to put up ungodly numbers in the ACC, which honestly could end up working against him. Competition level matters. "Heisman moments" matter, and Ward won't have the opportunity to do something special under the bright lights against a top team.

Let's look at Dart, for instance. Playing in the SEC, Dart has games against No. 16 LSU, No. 15 Oklahoma, and the big one, No. 2 Georgia late in the season.

That schedule gives Dart opportunities to compile a better resume with bigger moments than Ward will have at his disposal, but that's assuming Dart shows up with big performances in big spots.

Ward is very much in the thick of things, and should have Miami fans buzzing.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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