The Tennessee Titans made former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.
The Titans finished 3-14 last season under first-year coach Brian Callahan, as Tennessee struggled with a depleted roster and subpar play from quarterbacks. Will Levis was put in a position to secure the franchise quarterback role but dealt with an injured throwing shoulder and was eventually benched in favor of veteran Mason Rudolph.
Over the past several weeks, signs have pointed toward the Titans taking Ward with the first pick. Tennessee sent a group that included president of football operations Chad Brinker, general manager Mike Borgonzi, Callahan, offensive coordinator Nick Holz and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree to Miami’s pro day to watch Ward throw. Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk was also among that group.
Borgonzi acknowledged earlier this week that the Titans had received offers from teams looking to trade up and considered them, but the franchise ultimately decided to stand pat at No. 1.
“He has all the qualities that you look for in the position, and everything about him as a person and a player fits everything that we’re looking for,” Callahan said Thursday night. “It’s a really exciting moment, I think, for our organization, for our coaching staff, for our front office, I think most importantly for our fans.”
Ward, who was a zero-star recruit out of high school and began his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, is the first No. 1 overall pick that played FCS football since 1979. He was visibly moved as took the draft stage Thursday night and told ESPN that the emotion in his voice revealed “the little kid in me who wanted it.”
“The hard work that I put myself through, just the unbelievable work ethic that I have, I just always had faith,” he said.
Callahan said Ward’s background was part of what made him such an appealing choice for the Titans.
“He’s got a chip on his shoulder,” Callahan said. “He’s trying to prove every day that he’s worthy, and that won’t change the minute he gets here; it will stay the same. His journey is unique. He’s experienced a lot of things when it comes to new places, new faces, new teammates, and his ability to connect with all of them was incredibly impressive.”
Ward is the top-rated quarterback in ESPN’s Jordan Reid’s prospect rankings. The 22-year-old was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024 after passing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both of which were Miami single-season records.
Tennessee hopes Callahan’s previous experience working with quarterbacks will help Ward’s development. Since entering the NFL in 2010, Callahan has coached quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Joe Burrow.
Tennessee signed veteran free agent backups Kyle Allen and Tim Boyle after Rudolph rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason. Tennessee’s quarterback room currently consists of Ward, Allen, Boyle and Levis, who has two years left on his rookie contract after being selected with the 33rd pick in 2023.
Ward’s five-year college career included two seasons at Incarnate Word, two seasons at Washington State and one season at Miami. He set the career combined FCS (71) and FBS (87) record with 158 touchdown passes.
