College Football Analyst Believes Miami's Cam Ward Impact Will Extend Beyond 2024 Season

As the anticipation for the 2024 college football season continues to grow, one team getting a lot of hype is the Miami Hurricanes.

Mario Cristobal, entering Year 3 of his tenure at his alma mater, has done an amazing job rebuilding the Canes roster. The talent level at Miami is now the best it has been in decades.

Cristobal has always been a superb recruiter, and he's brought that skill to Miami. In the last three seasons, Miami has brought in the No. 13, No. 8, and No. 5 ranked recruiting classes, according to On3.

The Canes have also hit the transfer portal successfully, although this season they may have acquired some of their best portal additions yet.

One addition that every Canes fan, and On3's J.D. PicKell, is talking about is former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward.

"I think Cam Ward, statistically speaking, will have a top-five kind of season at the quarterback position in Miami football history," PicKell said.

PicKell says that while Ward should have a great impact this season for Miami football, it could go well beyond that.

"I think the opportunity for Miami having Cam Ward this season stretches beyond just 2024," PicKell said. "Let's say he just balls out and does what a lot of people expect him to do. Well, if you're an undecided four or five-star cat at the quarterback position, or you're a big-name quarterback next year that jumps in the portal, Miami can now make the pitch to you and say, 'Hey, look at what Cam Ward did in Shannon Dawson's offense. Look at all the guys we're going to have for you to throw the football to.'"

"The bottom line is, yes, the opportunity is now for Miami to win games, but it's also the opportunity for the future for them to attract big-time quarterbacks going forward."

The quarterback position has long been a problem for the Canes over the last several years. For whatever reason, Miami has not been able to attract or develop quarterbacks. Even Tyler Van Dyke, who was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and was Miami's starting quarterback the last few years, couldn't help the team overcome their struggles. In fact, it was the now-Wisconsin quarterback's turnovers that cost Miami games last season.

Ward comes out of Washington State with nearly 7,000 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

Miami will open their season against the Florida Gators on the road on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 3:30 p.m.