Cameron Ward
Born 2002 · Age 23
American football quarterback; played at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami; winner of the 2020 Jerry Rice Award and 2024 Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards; selected No.1 overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in West Columbia, Texas
Cameron Anthony Ward was born in West Columbia, Texas. Son of Calvin (played football) and Patrice (high school basketball coach for nearly 25 years).
High school junior season stats
As a junior at Columbia High School, completed 72 of 124 passes for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns; also rushed for four TDs (2018 season).
High school senior season (limited passing)
Senior year played in Columbia's Wing T offense, averaged ~12 pass attempts per game and reportedly threw for 948 yards and 8 touchdowns (per Wikipedia).
Committed to University of the Incarnate Word
Committed to play college football at Incarnate Word (one of two scholarship offers; Texas Southern was the other).
Named UIW starting quarterback (freshman season)
Named UIW Cardinals starting quarterback going into his freshman season; season was postponed to spring due to COVID-19 (2020–21 FCS season played spring 2021).
Named Walter Payton Award finalist
Finalist for the Walter Payton Award (given to the most outstanding player in FCS) after the 2021 season.
Breakout sophomore season at Incarnate Word
As UIW's starting QB in 2021, passed for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns with 10 interceptions; named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and led UIW to SLC Championship and into the 2nd round of FCS playoffs.
UIW single-game & single-season school records (established)
Set multiple UIW school marks during his time there, including UIW single-season passing TDs (47), single-game passing yards (610) and single-game passing TDs (7) — noted across the 2020–2021 stretch.
Won Jerry Rice Award (most outstanding FCS freshman)
After the shortened 2020–21 FCS season (played spring 2021), Ward threw for 2,260 yards and an FCS-leading 24 TDs in six games and won the Jerry Rice Award.
Entered NCAA transfer portal
Ward announced he would enter the NCAA transfer portal following the 2021 season at UIW.
2022 season stats at Washington State
Completed 64.4% for 3,231 yards, 23 TDs and 9 INTs while also rushing for five TDs (2022 season).
Committed to Washington State (transfer)
Announced commitment to transfer to Washington State; UIW head coach Eric Morris had been hired as WSU offensive coordinator.
Named Washington State starting quarterback
Enrolled at WSU for second semester and was named the Cougars' starting QB during spring practices in 2022.
2023 season stats at Washington State
Started all 12 games in 2023, completing 66.6% for 3,735 yards, 25 TDs and 7 INTs; finished 5–7 as a starter that season.
Entered transfer portal after 2023 season
Ward entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 1, 2023 after his second season at WSU.
Graduated from Washington State (commencement)
Ward graduated from Washington State during their December commencement (completed degree while in the transfer process).
Initially declared for 2024 NFL Draft (later reversed)
After the 2023 season Ward initially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, but later decided to use remaining eligibility and transfer (per sources).
Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalist
Named an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalist during the 2024 season (award recognizes top player from or with ties to Texas).
Set Miami single-season passing records
Set Miami program single-season records with 4,313 passing yards, 39 passing TDs and a 67.2% completion percentage (305-for-454) in 2024.
Committed to transfer to Miami (FL)
Announced his commitment to transfer to the Miami Hurricanes for the 2024 season, aiming to improve draft stock and capitalize on NIL opportunities.
Named to Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list
Listed as one to watch for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award ahead of the 2024 season.
Named to Davey O’Brien Award watch list
Recognized on the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award watch list prior to the 2024 season.
Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list
Added to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list before the 2024 season.
Miami season opener vs. Florida — dominant debut
Started Miami opener (Aug 31, 2024) vs. Florida: completed 26-of-35 for 385 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT; rushed for 36 yards. Earned multiple weekly honors after the performance.
Win vs Florida A&M (FAMU)
Completed 20 of 26 passes for 304 yards and three TDs vs FAMU; rushed four times for 22 yards and one TD (Sept. 7).
Big game vs Ball State — five TDs
Against Ball State (Sept. 14) Ward completed 19-of-28 for 346 yards and five TDs.
Performance vs USF — 404 yards and weekly honors
At USF (Sept. 21) completed 24-of-34 for 404 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT; named ACC QB of the Week, Davey O'Brien Great 8, Manning Star of the Week and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week.
Opened ACC play vs Virginia Tech
Opened ACC play with a 24-of-38 performance for 343 yards with four TDs and one INT (Sept. 27); also had 10 carries for 73 yards and one rushing TD.
Rallied Miami vs California — 437 yards in comeback
Led a comeback from a 25-point deficit at Cal (Oct. 5): completed 35-of-53 for 437 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT; earned AP National Player of the Week and other honors.
Win at Louisville — four TDs
Completed 21-of-32 passes for 319 yards and four TDs at Louisville (Oct. 19); earned multiple weekly awards.
Win vs Florida State — threw first career TD reception
Completed 22-of-35 for 208 yards in win over Florida State (Oct. 26), and recorded his first career TD reception.
Record day vs Duke — five TD passes
Versus Duke (Nov. 2) completed 25-of-41 for 400 yards with five TDs; named Davey O'Brien Great 8 and Manning Star of the Week.
Loss at Georgia Tech
Completed 25-of-39 for 348 yards and three TDs in a loss at Georgia Tech (Nov. 9).
Broke Miami single-season passing yards record vs Wake Forest
Threw for 280 yards (27-of-38) with two TDs vs Wake Forest (Nov. 16), surpassing Bernie Kosar's single-season Miami passing yardage record; ran for a 1-yard TD as well.
Regular season finale at Syracuse
Completed 25-of-36 for 349 yards and two TDs in the regular season finale at Syracuse (Nov. 23). Miami lost a shootout at Syracuse (42–38) which kept them out of the ACC Championship Game.
Named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year
Awarded ACC Player of the Year (overall and Offensive Player of the Year) for 2024 — noted as the first player in Miami program history to win ACC Player of the Year.
Named Manning Award finalist / later winner
Named a finalist for the Manning Award in December 2024; later named the Manning Award winner for the 2024 season (award announced Jan. 29, 2025).
Named Heisman Trophy finalist
Named one of four Heisman Trophy finalists (Dec. 9, 2024) — Miami's first Heisman finalist since 2002.
Selected to Walter Camp All-America Team and other All-America honors
In mid-December 2024 Ward was selected to Walter Camp, AP, AFCA and FWAA All-America teams (consensus First-Team All-American designation reported in Dec 2024 coverage).
Won Davey O’Brien Award (Nation's top QB)
Named the winner of the 2024 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award (Dec. 12, 2024).
Finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting
Finished fourth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting (announcement mid-December 2024).
Pop-Tarts Bowl first half performance; set combined Division I TD record
In the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl vs Iowa State (Dec. 28), Ward played only the first half — threw three touchdowns in the half and became the career combined FCS+FBS passing TD leader (combined career total reported as 158); he did not play the second half and Miami ultimately lost 42–41.
Roster status: Active Tennessee Titans quarterback (rookie season)
Listed on Tennessee Titans roster for 2025 as the team's active quarterback after being selected No. 1 overall.
Profiled widely by major outlets (The Athletic, SI, ESPN, NFL.com)
Following his 2024 season and lead-up to the draft, Ward received in-depth profiles and coverage by major outlets (The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NFL.com) in early 2025.
Invited to and participated in NFL Combine (measurements recorded)
Participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine (measurements recorded: listed at roughly 6'1.625" and 219 lbs; arm length ~30 5/8", hand span 9") — combine exposure raised draft profile.
Publicly credited faith; identified as Christian
Public interviews and profiles (March 2025) highlighted Ward as a Christian and he credited faith for his career.
Miami Pro Day performance
Took part in Miami's Pro Day (March 25, 2025), showcasing skills to NFL teams and finalizing pre-draft process.
Recognized as first zero-star recruit to go No.1 in 21st century
Noted in multiple outlets (April 2025) as the first zero-star/unsigned recruit in the 2000s+ to become the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.
Estimated net worth jump after draft selection
Post-draft signing and expected rookie contract/guarantees typically produce a significant net worth increase for a No.1 pick; estimated net worth shown is a rough projection combining signing guarantee, agent/endorsement prospects and NIL carryover.
NCAA.com career summary published
NCAA.com published an April 24, 2025 career recap summarizing stats, records and awards and noting his ascent from FCS recruit to Heisman finalist.
Granted permission to wear retired No. 1 jersey
Warren Moon (whose No. 1 was retired by the Titans) granted Ward permission to wear the No. 1 jersey; announced during Titans introductory press conference.
Selected No. 1 overall in 2025 NFL Draft by Tennessee Titans
Ward was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft — becoming the first zero-star recruit to go No. 1 overall in the 21st century.
Introductory Titans press conference
Participated in the Tennessee Titans introductory press conference as the franchise's top pick (April 25–26, 2025 coverage).
Key Achievement Ages
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