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From Coral Gables to the Top: Cam Ward Becomes First Miami Hurricanes No. 1 Pick Since 1991

On3 imageby: Matt Shodell04/25/25canesport
Cam Ward
Cam Ward, QB, from Miami holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 1st overall by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The last time the Miami Hurricanes heard a player from their program called with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft, George Bush was the President. The father, not the son. The top song that year? The aptly named “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” by Bryan Adams.

Because tonight it was Cam Ward (who everything he did he did it for Miami last season) who broke that 34-year string dating back to when Russell Maryland was the No. 1 pick.

Yes, tonight it was Ward’s turn.

The Tennessee Titans needed a playmaking quarterback. All they needed to do was turn on the tape of Miami’s games last season to find their guy. Oh, and the leadership skills sure don’t hurt either, right?

Cam Ward: No. 1 NFL Draft pick.

It’s done.

Now it’s the Titans fans that will enjoy Ward’s Superman playmaking, watching how he effortlessly escapes defenders before winging seemingly impossibly targeted passes into all corners of the field.

Think he’ll be missed at Miami?

Well, Carson Beck may have something to say about that.

But the Beck conversation is for another day.

Tonight is all about Ward and honoring everything he did to help bring Miami the nation’s top offense and a really exciting 10-win season, just the second time in the last two decades UM hit that number.

Your Ward refresher:

He chose to transfer to Miami from Washington State after initially declaring for the NFL Draft in January.

And boy did that pay off.

This past season he did something no other Miami Hurricanes quarterback did in its storied history, throwing for a program-record 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns and seven INTs. He became the first Heisman finalist from Miami since 2002 – that year Willis McGahee finished fourth in voting with Ken Dorsey fifth, and Dorsey was third in 2001 Heisman voting. He threw for over 300 yards in each of Miami’s first seven games with 27 TDs (three rushing) over that span. He eclipsed 400 yards in two – 404 at USF and 437 at Cal – and threw for five TDs against Ball State and four vs. Virginia Tech and at Louisville. Miami was undefeated through nine games with an offense the program hadn’t seen since the likes of its national championship years (UM had the nation’s No. 3 passing offense and No. 1 total offense).

So now Miami fans can root for Ward in an NFL uniform.

While reflecting on the oh-so-special talent that graced the field for the Hurricanes in 2024.

While Ward is the only Hurricane expected to be taken in Round 1, there are plenty more Miami standouts that are expected to go in the draft the next two days. Here’s a summary of the eligible players and their pro testing results and projected draft grades.

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