After Remarkable Season, Cam Ward Named Finalist for Heisman

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This season marks the 90th edition of the Heisman Trophy. First named the DAC Trophy and created in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, it recognized the best college football player "east of the Mississippi River." The award was renamed in 1936 to honor John Heisman and became a nationwide achievement. The 2024 trophy will be presented on Dec. 14. It comes down to four of the nation's best players: Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

The College Path for Cam Ward

Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. While there, he won the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision in the shortened COVID season of 2020. Then, Ward followed that by earning Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year Honors for the 2021 season after he therw for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns.

After the 2021 season, Ward entered the Transfer Portal and took his talents to Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., where he totaled 3,231 passing yards and 28 TDs. After weighing his options to enter the NFL, Ward entered the Transfer Portal again and ultimately decided to play for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

The 2024 Miami Hurricanes

With an opportunity to improve his options at the NFL level, Ward took the reins of the Hurricanes' offense and posted arcade-like numbers. He amassed 4,123 yards passing and 36 TDs. Ward led Miami to the best offense in the country as they averaged 538 yards and 44 points per game. Ward broke the Hurricanes' single-season mark for passing yards and TD passes.

During the season, Ward delivered the ball all over the field and helped Miami to a 10-2 record. Ward brought a leadership style that fit perfectly with the Hurricanes. He quickly established trust with his playmakers and coaches to make him the right person to lead Miami this season.

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The Heisman Trophy and the University of Miami

Ward can become only the third Hurricanes player to win the Heisman Trophy. He can join two other Miami QBs, Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992), to win it. Ward has a chance to be the 37th college QB to win the prestigious award.