The Miami Hurricanes are expected to sign a veteran quarterback. Will they be able to find the right person?
Cam Ward of Washington State officially entered the transfer portal on Friday. He’ll be the most sought-after available quarterback, and the Miami Hurricanes are likely to be among his suitors.
Ward ticks all of my boxes. He’s a seasoned soldier. He has NFL-caliber arm strength. With his legs, he can cause havoc on defenses.
Ward had a productive season with the Cougars in 2023. He completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 3,732 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 7 picks. He also had 8 rushing touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that, despite having entered the portal, Ward is considering going pro.
While there are some questions about Ward’s decision-making at times, I doubt there is a better overall option than Ward. As Bruce Feldman points out below, many major programs will be interested.
If Mario Cristobal is unable to persuade Ward to come to Coral Gables, I hope Miami can find another grad transfer. A one-year bridge quarterback would be ideal in my opinion.
Miami has a strong roster and is just one consistent quarterback away from contending for the ACC Championship. A capable and talented veterinarian can get them there. Then, in 2025, Emory Williams, Jacurri Brown (if he stays), and Judd Anderson will compete for QB1. Before passing the torch in 2024, the veteran can mentor the younger guys.
Transfer of a graduate degree Will Rogers of Mississippi State is another intriguing option because he is familiar with the air raid offense. In Shannon Dawson’s system at Miami, he should have an easy transition. Will Howard of Kansas State, another grad transfer, intrigues me with his dual threat capabilities.
There are also younger options. On my Locked On Canes podcast this morning, I discussed UCLA quarterback Dante Moore. Moore entered the portal after only one season of high school.
Moore is extremely talented, but he is unlikely to be ready to lead a team to a conference championship. He’s not “plug and play” like the others we’ve talked about. He requires growth. Even if Miami were to land Moore, I believe they would still require a veteran to guide them through the upcoming season. Is there enough NIL to get two? Top quarterback targets are reportedly worth seven figures on the market.
Ward is my personal favorite option, but we must trust head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, and general manager Alonzo Highsmith to select the quarterback who best fits the scheme and the locker room. You could argue that Miami’s inconsistent quarterback cost them multiple victories in 2023. That can’t happen again in 24.
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