Dennis Smith details the moment he knew the Heisman finalist would transform the Miami Hurricanes, sparking a powerhouse resurgence that culminated in Cam Ward becoming the NFL's top pick.
MIAMI, Fla. – Although Mario Cristobal was hired as the University of Miami’s football head coach in 2021, the restoration of the Hurricanes wasn’t showing until 2024. After back-to-back single-digit-win seasons, the program began to experience a breakthrough. The team’s scoring offense averaged the most (43.9) points a game in the Football Bowl Subdivision – led by quarterback Cam Ward.
After two seasons in the Pac-12 Conference with the Washington State Cougars, the Texas native arrived at Coral Gables and delivered excellence. He completed 305 of 454 passes, 67.2 percent, throwing for 4,313 yards and an Atlantic Coast Conference-leading 39 touchdowns, including seven interceptions, starting in all 13 games.
Ward received numerous accolades after a remarkable year at Miami:
- 2024 All-ACC First Team
- 2024 ACC Offensive Player of the Year
- 2024 ACC Player of the Year
- 2024 NCAA All-American First Team (Consensus)
- 2024 Davey O’Brien Award winner
- 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist – finished fourth in voting and the first finalist for the program since 2002
Before Ward showed a glimpse of greatness, University of Miami Football Executive Director Dennis Smith shared what he honestly thought about him initially. Although the 43-year-old primarily works in the shadows, he stepped into the spotlight on the Next Up podcast with Alex Breneman.
“He [Ward] changed the trajectory of this place,” Smith said. “It’s hard to win games if you don’t have a great quarterback. He really is the guy that helped this place turn the corner. The first time I saw him in person – drop back, throw a football, and lead a huddle – you’re like, ‘Yeah, this is the guy.’ He lived in our building.”
Ward wound up as the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, selected by the Tennessee Titans. Although the Hurricanes didn’t make the College Football Playoffs with him running the show, it established the foundation for where the program is today. If Ward hadn’t joined, Carson Beck and Darian Mensah likely wouldn’t have come the following years.
It’s a trickle effect.
Ward brought back “The U,” Beck kept the trajectory upward, and now Mensah is responsible for completing the ultimate goal: winning the National Championship.
The Hurricanes went through two decades of mediocrity before returning to title contention. Ward’s impact on the program will be an everlasting legacy. As the Titans continue building around him, the 24-year-old is among the many legends to wear the Hurricanes uniform.
Ward will likely be voted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame when eligible in 2031.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
