In preparation of the first scouting reports of 2025 being released this upcoming week, I was doing some background work for the Cam Ward report...and went back through my old notes to re-remember what happened when I first saw Ward, by accident, playing at Incarnate Word several years ago. I chronicled that in our Devy preview series in 2022 and then a follow up in 2024.
I put those reports/exchanges between myself and FFM scout Ross Jacobs down below here for an easy read, travel through time in prep for his full, official scouting to come next week. Enjoy
2022 Devy Preview Scouting Series (for 2023+): QB Cameron Ward, Washington State
*Devy (for 2023 prospects) Preview scouting = scouting 1-2+ key game tapes, looking at output trends/basic analytics, and some minor background research. Not a full blown, deep dive scouting report. We’ll continue to scout these players ahead of the college all-star games, the Combine and post-Combine for a full reporting ahead of their NFL Draft.
I (RC) conducted my scouting as Ross Jacobs did his, we then exchanged our reports without knowing what the other was thinking/seeing. Then we briefly discussed our scouting of this player in an informal text chat (posted below the two scouting takes). *Please forgive typos on the chat transcript.
QB Cameron Ward, Wash State (Scouting Preview Grade: B/C) -- by RC Fischer
6’2”/220, 2021: 65.1% Comp Pct., 4,648 yards, 47 TDs/10 INTs (13g), Projected: 4.7+ 40-time, 7.0 +/- three-cone
One of my favorite finds of my 2021 college tape scouting – a transfer to D1 for 2022, from Incarnate Word/FCS). I was not scouting him, but was looking at his RB and looking at Zyon McCollum on the opposition defense (for Sam Houston State)…and then this Incarnate Word QB just grabbed my full attention.
Ward has an unusual throwing motion and delivery…that the NFL scouts will hate, but it’s a quick release…and more importantly is his accuracy/touch/instincts. What caught my attention about him is how beautifully he placed passes even though it came from a funky delivery.
Ward looked great in the FCS, but we need to see what he does in D1 play to know if we really have something here. I see the high potential that we do.
COMP? = Jimmy Garoppolo’s talent (potentially) with Tarvaris Jackson’s look with Lamar Jackson’s delivery.
QB Cameron Ward, Washington St (Scouting Preview Grade: B) --Ross Jacobs
6’2”/220, 2021: 65.1% Comp Pct., 4648 yards, 47 TDs/10 INTs (13g), Projected: 4.8 40-time, 6.9 3-cone
I hate to invoke the name of Patrick Mahomes but...this kid looks like Patrick Mahomes. Same size, same build, same footwork, same throwing motion and quick release, same pocket movement...the only thing that looks different is I don't think Ward has the raw arm strength of Mahomes. He's not terribly far off though. It's plenty strong for the NFL.
When I say he looks like Mahomes though, that's not a complete endorsement because Mahomes had some questions coming out and I'm not sure Ward is as good as Mahomes. Pat's footwork could be sloppy at times, his accuracy was good but not amazing, and he put the ball in danger a little too often. I can say all the same things about Ward.
If he doesn't lead Div. I in passing this year I'll eat a shoe. He's still just a “sleeper” for many because they don't want to jump on the Ward train before he's played in a Power 5 game, but I'm jumping on. Ward will absolutely be in the mix of top QB's for the 2023 draft. Many people won't believe in him because he started at such a small school (for reasons outside his control) or because he's in an air raid offense (so was Mahomes), but I have no concerns. I see all the skills to make it in the NFL. Giving Ward a B right now but he might be an A.
NFL Comp? = Mahomes-lite?
RC: In the immortal words of Austin Powers..."Who eats a shoe?"
Ross: Wasn't it "who throws a shoe?"
RC: That was a joke, son!
RC: I'm laughing at the thought of eating a shoe
Ross: I read a story recently about a guy that did just that after he lost a bet. He had a custom shoe made out of like licorice and some other edible material and actually wore them around first. I digress...
RC: I think we're in the same range on Ward...except you blew past my first feelings. We think 'B' now but possible 'A' possible 'best in class'.
Ross: He's the highest grade I gave. He's not perfect but man there are things to like
RC: You didn't even give me credit for this immaculate find!
Ross: I might be getting sucked in by the visual of him slinging those side armed passes
Ross: It was a great find. I remember when you sent him to me and within a couple of plays it was like "holy crap this guy can play"
RC: I was looking for anyone who had him Devy ranked in May...all I saw was 'unlisted'. This is going to be some slick scouting by us here. But then people will start talking about him after we release this/his report.
Ross: I've seen him listed as high as 3 by a few people but nobody mainstream.
Ross: #3 in the 2023 class that is
RC: Whoa, really. I thought he was untapped...at least in April-May he was when we first started talking about him
Ross: I don't know how long they've been on him. I'll try to find that site for you
RC: Does Wash State still run the all-pass offense?
Ross: I'm not sure if they did after Leach left, but the HC from Incarnate Word is now the OC at Wash St so I'm guessing yes
RC: What a coincidence
RC: Mahomes comp is strong
RC: I want to see him at D1 to get the full 'A' on. FCS tape can be deceptive
RC: But he's about the best touch/accuracy passer in this 2022-for-2023 Devy review...I think.
Ross: That's reasonable. I don't think he's going to have any problems though. Word is he destroyed the spring game, had 4 TDs and just ripped apart the defense
RC: As he should. I love that he is 'in a battle' for the starting job. Yeah, right.
RC: Heisman Trophy possible for you?
Ross: Oh. I didn't realize this. Do you know who his coach at Incarnate Word and now Wash St is?
RC: No clue
Ross: They'll never give him the Heisman no matter what he does
Ross: Eric Morris
RC: From the Leach tree, of sorts
Ross: Kingsbury's OC at Texas Tech yep
RC: He can replace Kyler in 2023
RC: Don't put it past KK
RC: Ask Baker
==Skip to the summer of 2024, our next Devy preview scouting on Cam Ward==
*Devy (for 2025+ prospects) Preview scouting = scouting 2-3+ key game tapes, looking at output trends/basic analytics, and some minor background research. Not a full blown, deep dive scouting report. We’ll continue to scout these players ahead of the college all-star games, the Combine and post-Combine for a full reporting ahead of their NFL Draft.
This is just a first reaction to their tape and data; they could grow by leaps and bounds with another year of college play and our scouting could radically change on them (one way or the other), but this is an early glimpse of what I’m (RC) seeing in my first real look at their work to get an idea of the incoming prospects and the strength/weakness of overall position groups (at an early stage).
FFM’s Ross Jacobs is scouting the same players and writing up without any prior discussion with RC, so they are seeing each other’s scouting take for the first time when these post. We hope to have an RC + Ross video discussion/chat on their scouting in the days/weeks to come.
RC FISCHER
QB Cam Ward, Miami, Fla (Preview scouting grade: B-)
Projected measurables:
6’2”/223
4.8 +/- 40-time (est.)
7.1+ three-cone (est.)
2023 stats (at Washington State, transferred to Miami for 2024):
66.6% Comp. Pct., 311.3 pass yds per game, 25 TDs/7 INTs (12g)
12.0 rush yds per game, 8 rushing TDs (12g)
He’s a good QB prospect...I could see it back years ago when I stumbled over him at Incarnate Word, when I was really scouting Zyon McCollum (on the opposing team/defense/Sam Houston State) in an FCS game (might have been a playoff game). I was captivated by the QB while I was supposed to be scouting the DB...and many of you Devy rosters grabbed Ward on that call a few years ago. Now he’s doing well in D1.
With the right coach/situation, Ward could be a solid NFL starter. In the wrong situation...he could be hung out to dry – because he’s not an anointed high school elite prospect college scouts/analysts love to attach to (because they don’t know what they’re doing). Ward deserves ‘love’ in the NFL Draft...and he might just get it and become the top QB taken in the 2025 draft...partially because this class ‘don’t look so good’.
Cam has a great arm and has nice touch/placement on his throws...and he is lethal at all depths, he’s not a dink and dunker. He’s not a blazing 40-time, but he moves like a QB/athlete that runs well enough to get away from trouble or make a few yards if they give it to him. I’m still a fan, but I don’t see elite – just see ‘good’.
NFL Comp = Right-handed Michael Penix without the foot/movement skills.
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ROSS JACOBS
QB Cam Ward, Miami (Scouting Preview Grade: B/B-)
6'2”/215
66.6% Comp, 3736 yards, 25 TD/7 INT, 120-144-8 rushing (12g)
RC and I found Ward 3 years ago out of tiny Incarnate Word and immediately recognized a future solid starting QB. Because of Ward's age I had hopes that he could develop into something approximating Mahomes, but I have to say I see no evidence of that now although Ward is really, really solid. He has a strong (but not elite) arm that he can drive with just a flick of the wrist, his release his quick and compact, can change the release point and pace of the ball as needed, accurate, always knows where to go with the ball, stays calm in the pocket, not a scrambler but can move around to buy time, runs the quick passing game to perfection. I don't see a lot to criticize.
How Ward is a consensus 2nd-round pick behind travesties like Ewers and Milroe and Jaxson Dart is mind-boggling and proof once again that the mainstream has no idea what they are talking about. It's unlikely Ward is going to be a franchise saving QB, but he can start and win some games in the NFL for sure.
NFL Comp = Lesser Aaron Rodgers
