Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said Monday after star quarterback and likely one of the first picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cam Ward, opted out of the final two quarters. Despite the criticism, he didn't mince words in his fierce defense of Cam Ward. Regarding the loss in the Poptarts Bowl last month.
“I don't feel the need to go into a race to bust a false narrative or a bunch of bulls,” Cristobal told reporters at a press conference Monday. “People want to start, but that's not their job. Because that's the way it is done.” “That's it. That's always been the case. Cam was an extraordinarily elite Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He elevated the University of Miami's profile and profile.
“He leaves behind a legacy that will impact generations to come. I mean, he's the best player I've ever met and he's going to lead an NFL franchise to a championship.” I'm looking forward to watching him and watching him play on Sunday.”
On December 28, when Miami faced Iowa State, Ward played the first half and threw three touchdowns, setting a Division I record with his 156th passing touchdown, but as the Hurricanes lost 42-41. , did not return in the second half. , to end a campaign that at one point looked like it could make the College Football Playoff.
Ward, who spent the first two seasons of his college career at Incarnate Word and transferred to Washington State for two seasons before his final season at Miami, threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for the Hurricanes. .
They were in position to qualify for the ACC Championship Game and were ranked 6th until they were upset by Syracuse in the final game of the regular season.
“It's because of him that we won 10 games and had a real chance to win every game,” Cristobal said Monday. “…He set the tone for what the standard is. Yes, expectations are the way forward. As difficult as that may sound.”
Most rankings project Ward Sanders and Shedule Sanders to be the top two QBs drafted in April.
Miami entered the transfer portal last week when Georgia's Carson Beck (who he had originally declared for the draft after undergoing elbow surgery and missing Georgia's season-ending game in the College Football Playoff) entered the transfer portal. He committed to Cristobal and the Hurricanes to replace Ward.
Beck will reportedly receive an NIL package worth $4 million next season.
