Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft: Three Things to Watch at Miami Quarterback Cam Ward’s Pro Day
As we move closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes are beginning to shift towards the emerging stars of college football. Among them is Miami’s quarterback, Cam Ward, whose pro day has already garnered attention from NFL scouts, coaches, and media alike. Ward, a former standout at Washington State who transferred to Miami for the 2024 season, is one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. His combination of physical tools, playing experience, and competitive drive has made him a player that NFL teams will closely evaluate leading up to the draft.
A pro day is a key part of a quarterback’s draft evaluation. It’s an opportunity for a player to showcase their skills in a controlled environment, separate from the pressures and distractions of a game. For Ward, his performance at his pro day could play a pivotal role in securing his place among the top quarterbacks in the draft, or potentially influencing his stock in either direction. With all this in mind, here are three key things to watch for when Cam Ward steps onto the field during Miami’s 2025 pro day.
1. Arm Strength and Accuracy in Individual Drills
At the quarterback position, two traits stand out above the rest: arm strength and accuracy. These attributes are essential for a quarterback’s success in the NFL, where the level of competition and the speed of the game demand precision and velocity. For Cam Ward, this will be the first chance for NFL scouts and coaches to see how his physical tools translate from college play to the professional level in a more controlled and focused setting.
Arm Strength
Cam Ward has long been praised for his arm strength. At 6’3″ and around 220 pounds, he possesses the size and frame to handle the physical demands of the NFL, and his arm strength is one of the standout features of his game. In 2024, Ward displayed an ability to make deep throws with velocity, often leading his wide receivers on long bombs and stretching the defense down the field. He showed that he could hit the sideline with ease and push the ball deep down the field, a skill that can make him dangerous in the NFL.
At his pro day, NFL scouts will be keen to see how Ward’s arm strength looks in a controlled environment. During the individual drills, Ward will be asked to make throws that test his arm strength in multiple ways. This includes hitting a variety of routes with varying depths and velocities, such as deep outs, go routes, post routes, and crossing patterns. The goal is not just to throw the ball hard, but to demonstrate control and accuracy at every level of the field.
One of the areas that will likely be scrutinized is how Ward’s arm strength fares on the deep ball. While Ward’s deep throws are typically a strength, NFL teams want to see whether he can consistently place the ball with accuracy when targeting the deep third of the field. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers, who rely on deep passing as a core component of their offense, will want to see that Ward has the ability to push the ball 50-plus yards downfield with precision.
Accuracy
While arm strength is important, accuracy often makes or breaks an NFL quarterback’s career. For all the talk about arm strength, it’s ultimately the quarterback’s ability to hit his targets consistently that determines success at the next level. As impressive as Ward’s deep passes have been in college, he will need to show the same consistency in short-to-intermediate range throws during his pro day.
NFL teams will pay special attention to how Ward places the ball on intermediate routes such as slants, digs, and comebacks. These types of throws require both timing and accuracy, as well as the ability to anticipate the receiver’s route and lead them properly. Scouts will also look for how he handles touch passes over the middle or in the red zone, as well as his ability to throw with anticipation, especially on throws to moving targets.
A critical factor in his accuracy will be his footwork. Ward’s mechanics have been a point of focus in his development, and he will need to show that he can consistently set his feet properly, stay balanced in the pocket, and adjust his delivery to account for different types of throws. Watch closely to see how his footwork aligns with his ball placement. A strong performance in this area could set him apart from other quarterbacks in the draft.
2. Decision-Making and Poise Under Pressure
While physical tools are essential, mental acumen is often what differentiates a great quarterback from a good one. At his pro day, Cam Ward will have an opportunity to show NFL evaluators that he can make quick, effective decisions under pressure—something that is essential for success at the professional level.
Reading the Field
At Miami’s pro day, Ward will be put through various simulations that test his ability to process information quickly. This includes making decisions in simulated team drills that mirror the speed of a live game. Scouts will be keen to watch how Ward reads the defense, identifies mismatches, and adjusts his throws accordingly. This will be a critical factor in evaluating his mental processing speed and how well he can handle the complexities of the NFL defense.
Ward’s decision-making has been a point of both praise and critique during his college career. While he showed flashes of brilliance, such as his ability to read the field and adjust to defensive schemes, there were moments where he could hold onto the ball too long or make questionable throws under pressure. At his pro day, scouts will be looking to see if he has progressed in this area.
A key part of this evaluation will come from his ability to make quick, decisive decisions in “hot” situations—when the defense brings pressure, or when he has to make a fast throw to beat a defender. Will he remain calm and confident? Or will he struggle when faced with the pressure of defenders closing in around him?
Poise and Confidence
Poise under pressure will be another area to watch during Ward’s pro day. While NFL teams are focused on his decision-making, they will also be assessing his ability to remain calm and composed. The NFL is a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, and quarterbacks are expected to maintain poise even in stressful situations.
Ward’s ability to handle adversity will be important to track. How does he react after a few inaccurate throws? Can he bounce back from mistakes quickly, or does he get rattled? Ward’s mental toughness and ability to lead a team will be under close scrutiny.
A positive sign of poise will be Ward’s ability to lead the offense in scripted team drills. The way he communicates with his receivers and offensive linemen, as well as how he stays engaged in the moment despite the pro day setting, will provide valuable insights into his leadership potential at the NFL level.
3. Athleticism and Mobility in the Pocket
While traditional pocket-passing skills are paramount, the modern NFL quarterback needs to be mobile—able to escape the pocket, extend plays, and even run when necessary. Ward is known for his ability to move within the pocket, and his mobility will be a key part of his pro day evaluation.
Pocket Movement
One of the biggest questions surrounding quarterbacks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft is whether they can thrive in the modern, fast-paced game. Ward’s ability to make throws on the move will be tested during his pro day. NFL teams are looking for quarterbacks who can reset and re-establish their throwing platforms when flushed from the pocket. Ward’s ability to keep his eyes downfield while moving will be crucial.
Additionally, Ward’s ability to manipulate the pocket with subtle movements will be something to watch. Does he sidestep pressure well? Does he climb the pocket or roll out effectively, giving himself a clean throwing lane while avoiding sacks? Teams that run zone-read or bootleg schemes, like the San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles, will be paying attention to how Ward handles pocket mobility.
Running and Escaping Pressure
While Ward is not known for being a running quarterback, he does possess enough mobility to escape pressure and extend plays. His ability to scramble and make plays with his legs will be an area of focus at his pro day. Though mobility is important, it’s vital that Ward doesn’t rely too heavily on his legs to bail him out. Instead, teams will be looking for how he reacts under duress and how he balances running with looking for passing opportunities.
A strong showing of athleticism and the ability to make plays with his legs could help Ward solidify his status as a dual-threat quarterback in the eyes of NFL teams. At the same time, the way he chooses to scramble—staying patient in the pocket and only running when absolutely necessary—will speak to his quarterback instincts and understanding of the game.
Conclusion
Cam Ward’s pro day is set to be one of the most important events of his pre-draft process. While the combine and interviews offer important insights, his performance on the field during pro day will go a long way in determining where he stands in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether he’s showcasing his arm strength, his decision-making, or his mobility, every aspect of his pro day will be scrutinized by NFL teams looking for the next quarterback of the future.
Ward has the physical tools to succeed at the next level, but his ability to translate those skills into NFL success will depend on his consistency, poise, and mental sharpness. The pro day will provide scouts with an invaluable opportunity to see how far he has come since his college days, and whether he is ready to make the leap to the professional ranks.
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