Quarterback Cam Ward (1) warms up prior to the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Cam Ward has warning for NFL teams that don't draft him

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 9:04 AM ET

The 2025 NFL Draft is still two months away, but projected first-round pick Cam Ward is already warning teams they'll regret it if he's not picked by them.

The former Miami quarterback is the 18th-best available player and ranked second at his position by ESPN's Mel Kiper.

Three QB-needy teams are slated to pick first through third but if they decide to go with Colorado passer Shedeur Sanders (No. 17 overall, best QB per Kiper) instead of Ward, he wants them to know he'll never forget it.

"OK, you're either going to draft me or you're not," Ward told ESPN on Monday. "If you don't draft me, that's your fault. You've got to remember you're the same team that's got to play me for the rest of my career, and I'll remember that."

Ward racked up 18,189 passing yards and 158 touchdowns (an NCAA Division I record) across his five-year college career at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami.

His ability to navigate the pocket under pressure and deliver big plays has him high on several teams' draft boards.

2 minutes of #Miami QB Cam Ward being an absolute menace in the pocket

Incredible houdini-like instincts#NFLDraft #Devy pic.twitter.com/DiuIRfM2Ss
— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) January 24, 2025

He's an impressive talent and will give whichever team that picks him a massive boost on offense. However, NFL scouts may not get to see him in action sooner rather than later.

Ward has not decided whether he will throw at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, but he will interview with teams at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Miami's upcoming pro day is where the 22-year-old told ESPN he will throw and run drills for scouts.

Ward accepted the Davey O'Brien Award on Monday as the nation's best collegiate QB, just three weeks after also accepting the Manning Award. He follows LSU's Jayden Daniels who also won both on top of the Heisman Trophy in 2023-24.

A Heisman finalist this season, Ward hopes he will have a similar fate as Daniels, who was selected No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders and saw immediate success as a pro.

"To see him succeed is motivating for not only myself but all of the other quarterbacks," Ward said.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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