Earlier in the week, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared on the Well Off Media YouTube channel. While discussing various topics, Ward indicated that he would love to play in a game similar to Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes’s shootout from 2016.
In response, Sanders joked about his main focus while on the football field.
The game in reference occurred on Oct. 22, 2016, and saw Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 66-59. In that game, Mayfield threw for 545 yards and seven touchdowns while Mahomes produced 734 yards and five touchdowns of his own.
What Did Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders Say About the Shootout?
In the video, Ward explained how he wants to achieve a statistical performance similar to the quarterbacks in that matchup.
“I’m trying to have one of those games,” Ward said. “Their offense goes crazy. I go crazy. I just hope that we win.”
In response to this remark, Sanders detailed how the two top prospects differ in their mindset and goals for an individual game.
“See, that’s the thing, bro. I don’t care about stats. I care about the team winning,” he replied.
Sanders further jokingly added how Ward was “selfish” about prioritizing himself over the team’s potential success.
Ward and Sanders’ 2025 NFL Draft Projection
Both Ward and Sanders have had remarkable statistical seasons in 2024 and have been crucial to their team’s success in the process. Furthermore, there is a belief that they have boosted their NFL Draft stock, too.
According to our latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft from Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Jacob Infante, Ward was selected third overall by the New York Giants. Sanders was taken one pick prior, getting paired with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Regarding Ward, Infante noted how his “development over the last few years has been truly impressive to watch. He’s always had a nice arm with good mobility, dating back to his days at FCS-level Incarnate Word.
“This year, though, he’s come a long way in terms of consistently getting the ball down the field. No matter where he’s played, Ward has put up big-time numbers. The Giants would certainly hope that trend continues in the NFL.”
Meanwhile, Infante explained how Sanders is a quality counterpart, calling him “a tough, accurate quarterback with an acute sense of anticipation behind his throws.”
While it remains to be seen where and when both quarterbacks will be taken, it is evident that both Ward and Sanders are two of the top prospects available in next April’s draft. Hopefully, they’ll get to recreate that aforementioned shootout at the next level.