MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes looks to pass against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for 304 yards and accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in just under three quarters to lead the No. 12 Hurricanes to a 56-9 home win over Florida A&M on Saturday evening.
The former Incarnate Word and Washington State star arrived in Miami this year with plenty of hype.
He's only played two games, but Ward is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender who's got the Hurricanes looking like a future College Football Playoff participant.
Ward began his Miami career with 385 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-17 road victory at in-state rival Florida. He kept the hot start going Saturday, hitting Elijah Arroyo and Xavier Restrepo for first quarter touchdown passes of seven and 50 yards, respectively.
Ward then found Chris Johnson Jr. for a nine-yarder early in the second quarter. Following the PAT, Miami took a 22-3 lead en route to a 25-6 halftime edge.
The Hurricanes poured it on in the third quarter, capped by Ward's eight-yard scamper. Miami led 46-9 following the PAT with 3:43 left in the frame.
Ward's outing ended at that point, and he left fans dazzled with a phenomenal day, with some talking Heisman or giving him QB1 consideration for the 2025 draft.
If Cam Ward was a religion I'd go to church. This man has saved me
Ward and the Hurricanes will now welcome Ball State into town on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Video: Cam Ward Calls Out Florida Fans for Not Being Loud in Miami's Win at The Swamp
Sep 1, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FL - AUGUST 31:Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass as he's pressured by Florida Gators defensive back Jordan Castell (14) during a college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators on August 17, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As if Florida Gators fans didn't have a rough enough Saturday watching their team lose 41-17 to in-state rival Miami, Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward had a comment for the fans at the Swamp during his postgame press conference.
"Advice to the fans: If you're going to be loud, you have to be loud when we're huddling," Ward told reporters (six-minute mark). "You can't just be loud once we break the huddle. By that time, it's no point. We hear the play and we've communicated already."
The Washington State transfer also said USC and Oregon were louder environments when he played in the Pac-12.
"I played at USC. USC wasn't packed, but it was louder than this," he continued. "I played at Oregon and it was louder than this. The Pac-12 gets misspoken for. The Pac-12, that's where I believe real football is played. ... Washington was one of the loudest environments I've played (in)."
There are plenty of SEC fans who won't love hearing that, but Florida fans didn't exactly have much to cheer for during the blowout.
Ward picked the opposing defense apart and went 26-of-35 for 385 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 33 yards on the ground as a runner. His touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo shortly before the half gave the visitors a two-score lead before they ran away with it in the second half.
It was an excellent Miami debut for the quarterback who could be part of the Heisman Trophy conversation this season and one Hurricanes fans will surely remember given the opponent.
If he can do the same against Florida State in October during the team's next matchup against an in-state rival, he will likely be a fan favorite for quite some time for a Miami program looking to return to its dominant form of 20-plus years ago.
As for the Gators, this could be the start of a disappointing season thanks in large part to their daunting schedule.
They still face Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State, who were all ranked to start the season. Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss could be national title contenders, and starting with Miami didn't exactly go well.
Florida might be fighting to make a bowl game this season, which likely won't inspire its fans to be much louder than they were Saturday.
Cam Ward Hyped as 2024 Heisman Candidate After No. 19 Miami Routs Florida in Opener
Aug 31, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 31: Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up before the start of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Cam Ward's debut for Miami went swimmingly on Saturday.
The Washington State transfer was dominant as the No. 19 Hurricanes dominated Florida 41-17 in the Swamp. He had 385 passing yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-35 passing, also picking up 33 rushing yards on just three carries.
The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds noted that Ward's performance marked the first time a Miami quarterback has thrown for more than 300 yards in a debut since at least 1979.
"Yeah, he's not bad," Miami head coach Mario Cristobal told reporters of Ward after the win. "All the stuff that you guys were probably wondering during camp: 'Man, they talk a lot about Cam Ward. Is he really that good?' He's just scratching the surface. Really accurate, improvised, extended plays. Every team has a spark plug. Every game has a spark plug. He was the guy today."
Those who followed the Pac-12 and Washington State a season ago likely weren't surprised by Ward's performance on Saturday. Last season for the Cougars, he had 3,735 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, also picking up eight touchdowns on the ground.
His freshman season at Incarnate Word saw him put up video game-like numbers, throwing for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns.
It will be hard to make a routine out of games like Saturday's, but if Ward can do so it won't be a surprise to see him named a Heisman Trophy finalist in December.
Mel Kiper Jr. Predicts Miami QB Cam Ward Will 'Shine,' Generate 2025 NFL Draft Buzz
Aug 30, 2024
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 25: Cameron Ward #1 of the Washington State Cougars passes during the first quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. believes it is quarterback Cam Ward's "year to shine" after transferring from Washington State to Miami for the 2024-25 season.
"He can sling it, even though he has an unorthodox delivery that might raise some eyebrows from scouts," Kiper wrote. "And while he forces things at times, Ward is extremely accurate (66.6% completion rate in 2023).
"He could emerge in this QB class, particularly with the talent around him now."
Ward, who had previously declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, announced in January he would be using his final season of college eligibility to transfer to Miami after two years with Washington State.
During his senior campaign in 2023-24 Ward recorded 3,732 yards on 324-of-486 (67 percent) passing while totaling seven touchdowns and 25 touchdowns, adding eight more scores on the ground.
Prior to arriving at Washington State, Ward began his college career with two FCS seasons at Incarnate Ward.
Now Ward is headed to Miami, where he will have the opportunity to throw to targets including Xavier Restrepo, who ranked second in the ACC last season with 1,092 receiving yards, and Jacolby George, listed just behind Restrepo with 892 yards last season.
Ward will also benefit from an offensive line ranked among the top ten in college football by Pro Football Focus, as players like center Zach Carpenter and right tackle Francis Mauigoa potentially offer him more time in the pocket.
Miami has compiled a 6-10 record in the ACC since hiring head coach Mario Cristobal in 2021. The Hurricanes are under pressure to win this fall, and Ward will hope he can help further that goal while improving his own stock for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Miami Hurricanes Reveal All-Black Uniforms for 2024 CFB Season in New Photos, Video
Jul 10, 2024
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 07: a new Miami Hurricanes helmet rests near the sidelines during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
All-black uniforms are becoming the new wave in college football, and Miami is the latest program to jump on the trend.
On Wednesday, the Hurricanes took to social media with photos and a video to reveal their new all-black uniforms for the 2024 season:
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) July 10, 2024
Wednesday's reveal comes a day after Miami unveiled its primary uniforms for the upcoming season with its signature colors of green, orange and white.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 7-6 finish to the 2023 season, which was their second year under head coach Mario Cristobal. The team started the season with a 4-0 record before dropping six of its last nine games, including a disappointing 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl. Miami has not won a bowl game since the 2016 season.
The outlook for the Hurricanes is a bit more optimistic entering the 2024 campaign, as the team will have fifth-year senior Cameron Ward under center. Ward spent the last two seasons at Washington State and had a strong year in 2023, throwing for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also adding eight rushing scores.
Miami will also have a new lead ball carrier following the arrival of Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez. The speedster rushed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns during his sophomore campaign with the Beavers. The Hurricanes' leading rusher in 2023 totaled just 625 yards on the ground, so Martinez will add a much-needed dimension to the offense.
Miami will begin the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, in a marquee matchup against rival Florida.
Miami Hurricanes Unveil New Uniforms in Video, Photos Ahead of 2024 CFB Season
Jul 10, 2024
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 31: A general view of a Miami Hurricanes helmet during the American Team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on January 31, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Miami Hurricanes are keeping it classic.
The school released the following videos and images, unveiling their new uniforms for the 2024 football season that will be a slightly new take on the famous look:
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) July 9, 2024
Miami's orange, green and white is a classic look, and it would be unwise to veer too far away from those iconic duds. Some schools choose to take big swings with their uniforms every year, like Oregon, but Miami is taking more of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.
College football has always represented the interesting marriage of innovation and tradition. A number of college football programs stick to classic formulas when it comes to uniforms, with Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame and Alabama coming to mind, among others.
5-Star OL S.J. Alofaituli Commits to Mario Cristobal's Miami over Michigan, Nebraska
Jul 5, 2024
The University of Miami secured a commitment Friday from S.J. Alofaituli, who is one of the top interior offensive linemen in the recruiting class of 2025.
According to ESPN's Eli Lederman, Alofaituli chose the Hurricanes over both Michigan and Nebraska.
Per 247Sports, Alofaituli is a 4-star recruit who ranks as the No. 77 overall player and No. 3 IOL in his class. ESPN ranks him as a 5-star prospect and the No. 10 overall recruit in the ESPN 300 for 2025.
Alofaituli explained the rationale behind his decision to commit to Miami to Lederman, saying:
"The vibe and the people in the building that really make the program possible is really what stuck out to me. [Head] Coach [Mario] Cristobal, [offensive line] Coach [Alex] Mirabal, and [graduate assistant] Reggie Bain were overall just great people and they know how to develop offensive linemen there."
The 6'3", 280-pound Alofaituli stars at the prestigious Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, and he generated a ton of interest during his recruitment process.
Per 247Sports, Alofaituli had scholarship offers from Alabama, USC, Washington, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Penn State among many others in addition to Miami, Michigan and Nebraska.
Lederman noted that Miami has been on a roll from a recruiting perspective lately, as Alofaituli marks Cristobal's 10th commitment since June 18.
With Alofaituli now in the fold, Miami ranks eighth in 247Sports' team recruiting rankings for 2025 thus far.
Miami was once a dominant force in college football, but that has not been the case for quite some time.
The Hurricanes have not won 10 or more games in a season since 2017, and they have accomplished that feat just once in the past 20 years.
Miami went just 5-7 in Cristobal's first season as head coach in 2022, but it bounced back slightly to the tune of a 7-6 record last season.
With Cristobal putting together some quality recruiting classes, there is at least some hope that the Hurricanes will be back in the ACC title race and in the College Football Playoff mix in the coming years.
2026 QB Dereon Coleman Commits to Miami; 4-Star Had Offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma
Jul 3, 2024
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 31: A general view of a Miami Hurricanes helmet during the American Team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on January 31, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Miami Hurricanes are building up the future depth of the quarterback room.
2026 three-star quarterback Dereon Coleman committed to the Hurricanes Wednesday, becoming the third player in the program's 2026 recruiting class.
He had received 20 total scholarship offers and chose Miami over programs like Texas A&M, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska, per 247 Sports.
The 6'1", 165-pound rising junior currently plays at Jones High School in Orlando, FL. During his sophomore season, he threw for 2,236 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 247 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a run to the state semi-finals.
He is rated as the No. 302 player in the Class of 2026, the No. 21 quarterback and the 43rd-best player in Florida, per 247's composite rankings. He notably attended the Hurricanes camp in June, just six days after receiving an official offer from the University.
He still has two more high school seasons before he steps foot on campus in Coral Gables and will have some competition when he finally arrives. The Hurricanes have Judd Anderson and Luke Nickel committed in the Classes of 2024 and 2025 respectively. Miami will likely trot out Cam Ward as the starter in the 2024 season.
James Williams NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Miami LB
Apr 6, 2024
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 07: Miami Hurricanes safety James Williams (20) defends in the secondary during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 231
HAND: 9½"
ARM: 33⅝"
WINGSPAN: 79⅝"
40-YARD DASH: 4.65
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: 30"
BROAD: 9'9"
POSITIVES
— Good size and has already put on over 15 pounds from his 2023 roster weight. Has long arms, too.
— Physical and nasty. Likes to hit people and can lay the wood when tackling.
— Has solid route recognition to put himself in a position to defend passing concepts and avoid getting picked.
— Shows fluid hips in coverage.
— Good acceleration to drive and close on routes in zone coverage.
— Has speed for range against outside runs.
— Decent tackler who gets low, wraps up and breaks down when tackling in space.
NEGATIVES
— Had two surgeries in two years.
— Subpar change-of-direction skills. Lacks the short-area quickness to get in and out of his breaks.
— Reliant on using his hands in man coverage. Will fall out of phase when he doesn't get his hands on his man.
— Instincts as a run defender are a work in progress. Often freezes and takes too long to read plays when lined up in the box and will fall for eye candy.
— Needs to improve at taking on blocks. Didn't get much experience doing so as a college safety.
— 2022 (Torn labrum in left shoulder, played through it and had offseason surgery), 2021 (Groin, missed 2 games and had offseason surgery)
OVERALL
Coming out of high school, James Williams was the No. 1 safety recruit in his class. However, as is the recent trend with the bigger strong-safety types of defensive backs in college, he profiles better as a linebacker in the NFL.
That makes Williams a project at linebacker, where he should at least be decent in coverage to begin his professional career. He needs work against the run and more experience taking on blocks while playing in the box, but he has plenty of athleticism and can make offensive linemen and tight ends miss with his movement skills.
The former Hurricane showed plenty of physicality at safety to suggest he can handle himself on the second level. It's also encouraging to see that he's already put on weight, and he has a good frame with impressive arm length.
He got reps at linebacker at the Senior Bowl and had some good moments, but it was clear that he'll need some time to make the position switch. Whatever team drafts Williams will need to be patient with him, but he has a high ceiling at the position and is worth the dice roll for a club that doesn't need an immediate starter.
