Cam Ward being picked No. 1 overall validates what Miami sells recruits, Mario Cristobal feels

Cam Ward going No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft validated what Mario Cristobal preaches to potential recruits of the Miami Hurricanes. It’s what he wants to build now and moving forward in South Florida.

Ward spent just one season in Coral Gables, but he left a remarkable impact. He was the best version of his college self while at Miami, playing under Cristobal and crew.

But Miami can’t rely on Ward on the field this year while he plays for the Tennessee Titans. But it set a new level of expectations under Cristobal.

“It just validates so many of the things that we have been preaching since we got here, and having coached in the SEC, the Pac-12 and now the ACC, what really stands out is that no matter where we’ve been, we just done it and built at the exact same way and has led to some really high level, performers,” Cristobal said on Always College Football. “(It) has led the championships and we’re very much on track now to take that next step as a program here, so it does nothing but validate the truth that we’re going to work relentlessly to get it done, and we’re going to find the way to get it done.”

Cristobal is now 22-16 at Miami after going 10-3 last season with Ward at quarterback. However, the team has not won the ACC or made the College Football Playoff and is 0-2 in bowl games at this time.

Carson Beck will take over at QB this season after transferring in from Georgia. At full strength, Beck looks like a solid veteran option for a team looking to compete for the conference once again.

“He’s good to go,” Cristobal told ESPN. “He’s exceeding every benchmark.”

Cristobal added that Beck has been throwing for three weeks, as of earlier this month, after missing all of spring practice. That’s part of his rehab. He’s still yet to throw to the Miami wide receivers in an organized practice. Cristobal also recently did share that he’ll be ready for Miami’s player-led practices.

In his time with Georgia, Beck was able to start for the Bulldogs from 2023-24. In 27 games over the course of those two years as a starter, he threw for 7,426 yards and 52 touchdowns. However, the 2024 season was a frustrating one at times for Beck. He dropped from a 72.4 percent completion percentage in 2023 to a completion percentage of just 64.7 percent in 2024. He also threw an SEC-high 12 interceptions.