As the 2024 season approaches, the Miami Hurricanes’ quarterback room is generating significant buzz, thanks to a gigantic addition through the transfer portal. The excitement for the Canes around the QB position has not been this high since Ken Dorsey led the 2001 Canes to a National Championship. The headline grabber is undoubtedly Cameron Ward, arguably the top player in the portal. Alongside Ward, the Canes have welcomed portal transfer Reese Poffanbarger and recruit Judd Anderson, complementing true freshman Emory Williams. What does the Canes QB room look like as Fall Camp is underway?
QB1 – Cameron Ward
After a heated recruitment battle against FSU and the NFL, the Hurricanes secured their top overall target from the portal: Cameron Ward. Ward initially declared for the NFL draft but did not hire an agent, allowing him time until January 15th to finalize his decision. Head coach Mario Cristobal was relentless in his pursuit of Ward, undeterred by the draft declaration. Ward’s collegiate statistics are nothing short of remarkable:
13,874 career passing yards
135 total touchdowns
144.4 career passer rating
This acquisition significantly transforms Miami’s quarterback position. Ward’s commitment was a key factor in attracting top-tier wide receivers like Sam Brown who was one of the top two receivers in the portal.
Mario Cristobal had high praise for his new QB1. “In a lot of ways,” Cristobal said, “I think it’s very well documented, his productivity as a player throughout his career, and what really stands out in the short time we’ve been around him is he’s an alpha leader. What impressed us the most was whenever there was a bad play, his ability to bounce back and make things right. His aggressive, competitive nature to come back and make up for maybe a play that was negative was really impressive.” This resilience and leadership have already stood out during spring practice, where Ward has quickly built and gained the trust of his teammates.
In an April interview with Josh Pate, Coach Cristobal praised Ward’s decision-making and ability to extend plays, highlighting his demanding attitude towards teammates and his insistence on excellence. The contrast in leadership is stark compared to last year, when former QB Tyler Van Dyke reportedly did not even have some of his receivers’ phone numbers.
Ward, on the other hand, spends significant time with his wide receivers’ post-practice, working on routes, timing, and watching film together. “I watch a lot of tape with the receivers and tight ends,” Ward said. “We watch it as a unit as a whole. If they can see how my mind processes through progressions, they know if I’m doing this or that, then you could end up being the first read now and you’ve got to speed up everything. I think once we really click on that once we dive more into it in fall camp, it’s gonna help us in the long run this season.”
QB2 – Reese Poffanbarger
Miami added Reese Poffanbarger via the transfer portal, bringing impressive stats from the FCS level:
3,608 yards (led FCS)
36 passing TDs (led FCS)
68.4% adjusted completion percentage
Miami was impressed by Poffanbarger’s leadership qualities and work ethic. He is expected to provide solid competition and depth for Ward while adjusting to Power Five football.
QB3 – Emory Williams
Williams finished last season with three touchdown passes, one interception, and a QBR of 80.3. Thrown into the fire against Clemson, he snapped a historic losing streak in his first start, making big-time throws in clutch situations. Against FSU, the eventual ACC champs, he had two touchdowns with zero interceptions, showing poise and guts before getting hurt on the final drive. Despite his heart and cool demeanor, Williams needs to recover and work on his accuracy. This season will be crucial for his growth and competition against Poffanbarger for the QB2 slot.
QB4 – Judd Anderson
The Canes’ QB commit last year was Judd Anderson, a three-star QB out of Jones County High in Gray, Georgia. At 6’6”, Anderson has the prototypical size but played in a Wing T offense in high school, making him raw as a passer. He will need a couple of years to develop, working with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson on mechanics and footwork while learning from Ward.
Overall, the Canes boast one of the top five quarterbacks in the nation in Cameron Ward. If Ward stays healthy, Miami has an excellent shot at winning the ACC and being a legitimate playoff contender. However, if Ward gets hurt, the Canes have three unproven options, with Reese Poffanbarger the most likely to succeed given his FCS experience. All three backups need at least a year in Miami’s system to develop. This season, the Canes are betting everything on Ward; their playoff hopes hinge on his performance.
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