(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward could be the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Is he playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl today?
Ward lit up opposing defenses all season, finishing with 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air to lead the top-rated offense in the country. He became the third Hurricane to win the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s best QB and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
With his long list of accolades and bright future ahead, it would be no surprise if he decided to sit out the Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Iowa State and preserve his health for April’s draft. After all, Miami missed its chance to appear in the College Football Playoff by losing to Syracuse in their last game of the regular season.
But Ward has said for weeks that he wanted to play one last game for UM, perhaps wanting to get that bad taste out of his mouth. The Hurricanes‘ stumbles down the stretch weren’t his fault, after all: He threw for 797 yards and five TDs without an interception in their two losses. And a strong performance against a stout Cyclones defense (their 161.7 passing yards allowed per game are third in the NCAA) would be another positive note on his NFL Draft résumé.
Here’s what we know about Ward’s status for the bowl game, including his stats and opt-outs for Miami and Iowa State:
Ward has said on multiple occasions that he intends to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, including the morning before the Heisman Trophy presentation.
“Yessir, I’ll be playing in the game,” Ward said when asked on SportsCenter on Dec. 14. “Our team, we’re ready, we’ve been preparing this whole week. We’ve had time to chill and relax our bodies, but every day we get more into the game plan for Iowa State.”
Ward was warming up with his teammates before kickoff, so there is now visual evidence that he is indeed playing.
Miami vs Iowa State:Pop-Tarts Bowl highlights, game updates
Coach Mario Cristobal said Monday that he wasn’t surprised by Ward’s decision to play: “I mean, we have unfinished business.” He reiterated that Friday.
“Cam’s DNA, his upbringing, everything he’s made of is the right kind of stuff, the stuff you want your team made of,” Cristobal said. “… He understands the importance of finishing, and he understands the caliber of opponent that we’re playing and the importance to play at a really high level to give ourselves the best opportunity in this game.”
Ward isn’t the only player expected to go high in the NFL Draft who opted into his team’s non-CFP bowl game. Heisman winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders are expected to play for Colorado in Saturday night’s Alamo Bowl against BYU.
Hours before kickoff, Xavier Restrepo announced on social media he was declaring for the NFL Draft, likely taking him out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. That would leave Ward without his No. 1 and No. 3 receivers after Isaiah Horton entered the transfer portal.
Restrepo is Miami’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He was tied for 10th in the nation this year with 1,127 yards.
Sam Brown also announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Brown had 36 catches for 509 yards, fifth on the Hurricanes, with two TDs.
Cam Ward transformed Miami’s offense after spending two years at Washington State. With their star QB behind the wheel, the Hurricanes took off to the No. 1 offense in the nation, scoring 44.2 points per game and averaging 538.2 yards per game. Ward led the No. 2 passing offense at 359.2 ypg and saw UM hold possession for 32 minutes per game, ninth-best in the country.
Here’s a look at Ward’s stats for the 2024 season, including his rank among qualified FBS passers (entering Friday’s bowl games):
Ward is projected to be a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Several mock drafts predict the New York Giants to take him with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Hurricanes didn’t have any players listed as opt-outs before Saturday, but Xavier Restrepo announced around noon he was entering the NFL Draft. They will also be without a handful of players who entered the transfer portal. Chief among them is wide receiver Isaiah Horton, Miami’s third-leading receiver with 616 yards and five touchdowns, who left for Alabama. Also leaving via the portal are running backs Ajay Allen and Chris Johnson Jr.
The Cyclones don’t have any players opting out, either, though they too will be without some players who entered the transfer portal. Iowa State lost three defensive ends to the portal, including Tyler Onyedim, who made 33 tackles including three for loss this season.
Miami vs Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 28 on ABC. Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers will call the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fubo.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
