Cam Ward transfer history: Why NFL Draft prospect played for three schools throughout college football career

Cam Ward is the epitome of how the new era of college football can work for a prospect.

Thanks to the transfer portal and NIL, he was able to move up the ladder to a major program and ball out in his senior year, making himself the consensus top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ward started his journey as a zero-star recruit at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State. In his fifth and final year of college eligibility, he played for the Miami Hurricanes, where he led the ACC in touchdown passes.

With the success of some of the transfer quarterbacks who were picked last year, like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr., teams selecting at the top of the draft have shown they are looking for signal callers with more college experience than less. Ward has started 57 games over his college career, to go along with his elite arm strength and athleticism.

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If the Titans make Ward the top pick in this years draft, Ward will be the first No. 1 overall selection to attend three different schools.

Here's a look at Cam Ward's transfer history.

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Cam Ward transfer history

Incarnate Word

Ward began his career at Incarnate Word, an FCS school, in 2020 and started all six games in the Covid-shortened season. He set multiple single-game school passing records and finished the season with 2,260 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was named to the Southland All-Conference first-team.

In 2021, Ward started 13 games and led UIW to a Southland Conference championship, throwing for for 4,648 yards with 47 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Washington State

Ward transferred to Washington State after his sophomore season and was named the starter in his first season. In 2022, Ward threw for 3,231 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He built on a strong first season in Pullman, Washington in 2023, throwing for 25 touchdowns, 3,732 yards and seven interceptions.

Ward developed well as a runner in his time with the Cougars. He ran for 202 yards and 13 touchdowns in his two seasons at Washington State. 

Miami (Fl.)

Ward moved to Miami for his final year of eligibility and delivered one of the best seasons for a quarterback in the program's history. He threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. The Hurricanes did not make the College Football Playoff, but Ward was recognized as one of the best signal callers in the country at the end of the season. He was named a consensus first-team All-American and a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Cam Ward college stats

Ward absolutely torched FCS opponents in his final year at Incarnate Word, but he had arguably his best college season in his final year at Miami. In addition to throwing for more than 4,000 yards, Ward set a career best in completion percentage with the Hurricanes.

Here's a closer look at Cam Ward's college stats.

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