Cam Ward leaves NFL teams in no doubt as he names | NFL News

Miami Hurricanes star Cam Ward has not been shy about expressing his need to at some point play for the New Orleans Saints. Projected as the highest choose for the upcoming NFL Draft subsequent month, Ward is broadly anticipated to affix the Tennessee Titans after they choose first this yr.

Despite the Texas-born quarterback doubtless holding no reservations about enjoying for the Titans, he might harbour a slight sense of eager for a completely different staff. Growing up with aspirations to play for the Saints, Ward will in all probability must put these desires on maintain. And a transfer to Louisiana this yr appears notably unlikely given New Orleans are sat at ninth in the Draft order subsequent month. Yet Ward did not hesitate to share his lifelong Saints ambitions just lately. Following his victory on the Allstate Sugar Bowl 2024 Manning Award, the promising QB opened up about his love of the franchise.

“The Saints were one of my favorite teams growing up,” he stated, per The Mirror US. “When I was little, I loved watching Drew Brees and [Marques] Colston out there. It would be a dream of mine to play for them, if I get a chance someday. But that’s not really my focus right now.”

The 22-year-old has additionally opened up about just lately assembly up with members of the Saints hierarchy, together with new head coach Kellen Moore. Ward revealed his hopes of presumably enjoying below Moore, who was offensive coordinator for the Phialdelphia Eagles final season en path to clinching the Super Bowl.

“It was a great meeting,” he added. “If you get a chance to go play for a Super Bowl-winning coach like coach [Kellen] Moore. He knows how to dial up the playbook.

“The greatest factor I took away from that assembly was that you just simply must be ready always, whether or not you go in as a starter otherwise you go in as a backup. You by no means know when your quantity goes to be referred to as.”

Ward’s incredible 2024 run earned him the coveted Manning Award as he topped the national charts for touchdown passes. Moreover, he also shattered the NCAA Division I record for career touchdown passes.

The quarterback’s year-end stats were astonishing, completing 305 out of 454 pass attempts, clocking up a distance of 4,313 yards which ranked second highest in the nation. Alongside this, his record-breaking 39 touchdown passes and minimal seven interceptions left onlookers in awe.

These figures surpassed Miami’s previous record, which Steve Walsh set when he threw for 29 touchdowns in 1988. Despite his soaring performance, Ward is unlikely to join the Saints unless he drops to the ninth in the Draft, which looks all but impossible in the current landscape.

While the title of No. 1 NFL draft pick carries substantial weight, Ward has said he’s not fussed about where he falls in the pecking order. His comments hint at a maturity far beyond his years, but whichever franchise ends up getting their hands on the player will have a star-in-the-making.

“It would not imply something to me, the choose is rarely something,” he said. “If somebody needs to be identified for a choose, they don’t seem to be enjoying for the precise causes.”