Every parent wants their child to be praised, so Casey Rogers looked to the people next to her in the crowd and paid one of the best compliments for Cam Ward.
That moment happened on Oct. 15, 2022, when Ward was quarterbacking Washington State vs. Oregon State.
Rodgers, then a star player at Oregon State, was doing preliminary scouting during the team's bye week.
That was long before it became a possibility that Rodgers and Ward would be Giants teammates in 2025.
“For some reason, I watch Cam Ward's games more than any other college quarterback,” Rodgers said. “I sat next to his parents once and said, 'Your son is a great quarterback.' I played against him twice, but after the first time I said to him, 'You're my son. “He might be one of the best quarterbacks I've ever played against,” I remember saying. ”
The Giants have two defensive rookies in the locker room, Rodgers and UCLA product Darius Muasau. They played against Ward and the University of Colorado's Shedure Sanders last season, so they have the inside knowledge that the fan base is craving right now.
The consensus is that Ward and Sanders are the top two QBs available in the 2025 draft, with the Giants potentially selecting No. 1.
Rodgers and Muasau, whose teams went a combined 4-0 in college play in 2023, shared their memories with the Post after taking a break from preparing for Sunday's game against the Ravens as mainstays on an injury-riddled defense.
“Shedur brings out the best in everyone on the team,” Muasau said. “He looks like a special player. He's one of those players you can't really strategize about because he's always going to do everything right, no matter what situation he's put in.”
A combination of the dissolution of the Pac-12 and transfer portal moves put Sanders in the Big 12 and Ward in the ACC (as a transfer to Miami) this season.
Ward has earned a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist, but is far from starting his career as a zero-star recruit in the FCS ranks of the Incarnate Ward, while Sanders has earned his spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist, a two-way standout. Travis Hunter) helped earn him finalist status. Finalist.
The Giants, who do not have a quarterback under contract for next season, were heavily scouting for the Miami-Colorado game last month.
Rodgers was visiting his father in Syracuse over Thanksgiving weekend and coincidentally was once again in the crowd for what could be Ward's last game in Miami, Muasau said. I can guess what the memo says.
“Cam is a player that a lot of people don’t count on, that no one really knows much about, but he’s carved out a path for himself,” Rodgers said of Ward’s 2023 game against Oregon. He said while recalling his 468-yard performance.
“He reminded me of Justin Fields' build. His feet are huge and he doesn't fall down on first contact. Plus, the way he moves in the pocket and escapes, It makes it even more difficult.”
Muasau added: “He seems so casual and everything seems easy to him. He's just a natural athlete.”
Accuracy was a big topic in the scouting report on Sanders.
“It’s not just our one game, but his ability to extend plays with his feet and being a pocket passer and getting the ball to the point,” Muasau said. “He's accurate even on the run. I expect a lot from him going into the draft.”
Rookie receiver Malik Nabors, the face of the Giants, called both Sanders and Ward “great players” earlier this week, and Ward received praise on the eve of the Heisman on Friday by teasing the possibility of them teaming up. I responded.
Neighbors and Sanders first met in high school at the finals of a 7-on-7 football freshman camp.
According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Giants (2-11) have an NFL-best 41 percent chance of acquiring the No. 1 pick in the draft.
The Raiders (2-11) pose the biggest threat, and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, Hall of Fame cornerback and Shedule's father, recently transferred both of his sons to head coach Antonio Pierce (formerly). He joked that he wanted him to play behind the Giants' linebacker.
Given that there are six other teams lurking between No. 3 and No. 10, a win for either team in any of the final four games could significantly change the draft position.
“Those two are elite quarterbacks, so it'll be great to see where they end up and what success they have,” Rodgers said.
It might be New York, it might not be.
