Cam Ward Opts for Pro Day Spotlight, Declines Throwing at NFL Combine
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward has made a strategic decision regarding his participation in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, foregoing the opportunity to throw in front of NFL scouts and front office personnel this weekend in Indianapolis. Instead, Ward will showcase his arm talent at the University of Miami’s pro day, scheduled for March 24th, providing him with a more controlled and potentially advantageous environment to impress potential employers leading up to April’s NFL Draft.
Ward’s decision aligns with a growing trend among top quarterback prospects. Shedeur Sanders of Colorado previously announced his intention to abstain from on-field drills at the Combine, opting to focus on meetings and interviews with NFL teams. Notably, none of last year’s highly touted quarterback prospects participated in throwing drills at the Combine, suggesting a shift in the perceived value of Combine throwing performances compared to other evaluation methods.
Ward, widely considered a potential top-two pick alongside Sanders, and even a frontrunner for the coveted No. 1 overall selection, explained his reasoning during a press conference held at Lucas Oil Stadium. He stated that he believed participation in the scheduled throwing drills on Saturday would not significantly enhance his draft stock. He emphasized that he had already engaged in productive and positive interviews with several teams holding high draft picks, including the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets, all of whom possess selections within the top seven.
"Me throwing here is not going to move me in any type of way," Ward told reporters, according to Cleveland.com. He further elaborated on his decision, expressing his confidence in his receiving corps at the University of Miami. "I’ve just decided to throw at my pro day to the best receiving corps in the country."
Ward’s confidence is understandable given the talent he has worked with during his single season as a Hurricane. He led the team to a successful campaign, culminating in ACC Player of the Year honors and a Heisman Trophy finalist nomination. His impressive statistics speak for themselves, as he amassed 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, solidifying his position as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks.
The decision to prioritize the pro day highlights a growing awareness among prospects of the benefits of controlling the narrative and environment surrounding their pre-draft evaluation. The Combine, while offering a centralized platform for teams to assess players across various metrics, can also be a pressure-cooker environment where a single misstep or perceived flaw can be amplified and scrutinized.
A pro day, on the other hand, allows the prospect to work within a familiar setting, with receivers they have established chemistry with, and under the guidance of coaches they trust. This provides a greater level of control over the presentation and allows the quarterback to showcase their strengths in a more favorable context. Ward’s statement explicitly emphasizes the advantage he believes he has in displaying his talents alongside his Miami teammates.
Ward’s path to the top of the NFL Draft prospect rankings has been a unique one. He began his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, playing there in 2020 and 2021, before transferring to Washington State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His successful stint with the Cougars ultimately led him to Miami for the 2024 season, where he solidified his status as an elite quarterback.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and hailing from West Columbia, Texas, Ward possesses a combination of arm strength, athleticism, and playmaking ability that has captivated NFL scouts. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket and make throws from unconventional angles are highly valued in today’s NFL.
With Ward’s announcement, the University of Miami’s pro day on March 24th is poised to become one of the most highly anticipated workouts of this year’s NFL Draft process. NFL teams will undoubtedly send a significant contingent of scouts, coaches, and front office personnel to Coral Gables to witness Ward’s performance firsthand. The pro day will provide Ward with the opportunity to solidify his standing as a top quarterback prospect and potentially solidify his position as the potential No. 1 overall pick.
Beyond Ward’s individual decision, the broader trend of top quarterbacks opting out of throwing at the Combine raises questions about the event’s continued relevance in quarterback evaluation. While the Combine provides valuable data points on athletic testing and medical evaluations, the importance of controlled throwing environments and game film analysis appears to be gaining traction among NFL decision-makers.
The Combine still serves a crucial role in facilitating team meetings and interviews, allowing teams to assess a player’s personality, intelligence, and understanding of the game. Sanders’ decision to participate in meetings despite skipping on-field drills exemplifies this value.
Ultimately, the NFL Draft is a complex and multifaceted evaluation process, and teams utilize a wide range of resources to make informed decisions. While the Combine remains a significant event, the decisions of players like Ward and Sanders highlight the evolving landscape of player evaluation and the increasing importance of pro days and game film in determining a player’s draft stock. The NFL Draft will ultimately reflect teams’ diverse and multi-faceted needs and evaluation processes.
