University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward commented Saturday on the possibility of being one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL draft.

During an appearance on ESPN SportsCenter, Ward said the following when asked about a quarterback-needy team such as the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants potentially taking him near the top of the draft:

"It's a blessing, especially to be in this position. The journey I had to solidify myself as one of the best quarterbacks in college to potentially get to [the] NFL. I mean, it's all God. I mean, the teammates that I have around me, they help me put myself in this position. We all made plays, so, you know, me projected to go that high, it's something that I don't take lightly. I have, you know, just a chip on my shoulder, you know, that'll never leave."

The 22-year-old Ward took a circuitous route before establishing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class, starting at FCS Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State and then Miami.

Ward reached his full potential at Miami as a senior, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 4,123 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 196 yards and four scores.

As a result, Ward was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the ACC Rookie of the Year, plus he is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, along with Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

At 10-2, the Hurricanes have their first double-digit-win season since 2017, and they barely missed out on the ACC Championship Game and a chance to play in the College Football Playoff.

While things could change during the pre-draft process, which includes the NFL Scouting Combine, Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders are widely considered the top quarterback prospects as of now.

Of the teams currently slotted to pick early in the 2024 draft, the Raiders and Giants clearly have the biggest need at quarterback, so it comes as no surprise that they have been heavily linked to both Ward and Sanders.

The Raiders haven't gotten much out of veteran signal-caller Gardner Minshew or 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell this season, while the Giants released starter Daniel Jones and have been cycling through Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito ever since.

Although the Raiders and Giants are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-11, other teams who need a quarterback could play their way into the equation for Ward and Sanders, including the 3-10 Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.

Regardless of how the draft order plays out, Ward is a strong candidate to be picked inside the top five, and it is very difficult to envision him falling out of the top 10.

Six quarterbacks came off the board within the first 12 picks of the 2024 NFL draft, and while the 2025 quarterback class is not considered to be as deep, the scarcity perhaps improves Ward's chances of going early.

Neither Ward nor Sanders are slam dunks to be stars at the next level, but Ward's ability to go from FCS quarterback to Heisman finalist and top NFL draft prospect suggests he may have the fortitude needed to succeed in the NFL.