Fox Sports NFL analyst RJ Young has revealed why he would take Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward over Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. Young cited what Shannon Dawson, the current Hurricanes offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, told Jeremy Fowler about the similarities between Ward and Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels.
Ward had a phenomenal campaign for the Hurricanes this year, showing off his dual-threat abilities as well in the process. He had 4,313 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. Furthermore, he had 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in a rushing capacity and had one receiving touchdown as well.
What Did RJ Young Say About Cam Ward?
Young outlined how he had Ward as the QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, even over Sanders, on “The Number One College Football Show with RJ Young.”
“The reason I think you would take Cam Ward is because of something that Shannon Dawson identified when he first was recruiting him to Miami and understood what he could be. This is a great quote that he gave to Jeremy Fowler that I’m going to read to you:
“‘The reason I thought Jayden Daniels had a great rookie season is when it wasn’t there, he could make a play. And Cam [Ward] has that same ability. He’s not going to be a guy that the speed of the game is going to affect him a lot in his timing. And when it does break down, because NFL defensive lines are elite, he’s going to be able to save the play,'” Young detailed.
Ward had a phenomenal campaign for the Hurricanes this year, showing off his dual-threat abilities as well in the process. He had 4,313 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. Furthermore, he had 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in a rushing capacity and had one receiving touchdown as well.
Ward’s 2025 NFL Draft Projection
Ward and Sanders are expected to be the first two quarterbacks taken in the draft this April. While some individuals believe that Sanders is the QB1, it is evident that Young thinks Ward is the best QB available. Pro Football Network NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante would agree with Young, as he had Ward as his QB1 in his latest seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft.
Ward was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Giants while Sanders was picked No. 6 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
As Infante notes about Ward, “The Daniel Jones era in New York now feels like a distant memory, and the Giants find themselves in desperate need of a new quarterback. Having the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft should help them fill that need.
“With his effortless arm strength and his improvisational skills, Cam Ward stakes a strong claim to being the top quarterback in this year’s class. How he compares to prospects at his position from the 2024 NFL Draft is another discussion, but you have to shoot as high as you can at the quarterback position. Ward has arguably the highest ceiling of the quarterbacks in the 2025 class.”