Multiple teams in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft were at the Pop-Tarts Bowl to see Miami quarterback Cam Ward on Saturday.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and Las Vegas Raiders assistant general manager Champ Kelly attended the game, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. Giants director of player personnel Tim McDonnell was also in attendance.
Ward only played in the first half against Iowa State, finishing 12-of-19 for 190 yards and three touchdowns without turning the ball over. He rushed for eight yards on two attempts and set a new Division I record for career passing touchdowns.
Ward wrapped up an impressive senior season with the Hurricanes, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 4,123 yards and 37 touchdowns entering Saturday's action. He was only picked off seven times and finished No. 4 in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting.
The 22-year-old is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 8 overall player in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.
B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson highlighted Ward's overall arm talent in his scouting report of the signal-caller.
"In conclusion, Cam Ward is among the most gifted throwers in the NFL draft class," Parson wrote. "The combination of arm talent, mobility/athleticism, and accuracy is growing among NFL scouts."
As things currently stand, the Giants are projected to receive the No. 1 overall pick with their league-worst 2-13 record. The New England Patriots hold the second-worst mark at 3-13, while Las Vegas is one of four teams with identical 3-12 records.
The owner of the top pick in the 2025 draft isn't official just yet, but Ward is expected to be in consideration for the first selection regardless of the team that'll be on the clock.
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