Cam Wards and Pierre Sanders stood one platform apart on Friday, each arguing to be the first quarterback chosen simultaneously in this year’s NFL selection.
Their methods couldn’t have been more dissimilar.
Speaking with the same bold assurance that characterized the career of his longtime coach and Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, Sanders arrived wearing a sparkling necklace. In his blue-collar speech, Ward detailed his six-year journey from an unheralded Texas prep star to a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and, possibly now, to being selected first in April.
Nevertheless, on one of the most important football venues, these two collegiate players were able to put aside their lighthearted, public verbal jabs to demonstrate respect for one another.
Ward predicted that both of us would become among the league’s top quarterbacks. It doesn’t actually signify nothing, even though we joke around with it and play around with who will be first. Ultimately, you must demonstrate your ability to get better every Sunday. You can’t do it in a single year. Every time you set foot on the field, you must do it.
Since Ward and Sanders reaffirmed that they would not be working out with the quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers on Saturday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, league scouts will have to wait until the players’ college pro days to get a real look at this year’s top two quarterbacks.
Rather than throwing to their college teammates, these two added their names to a lengthy list of elite prospects who chose to wait to show off on familiar terrain. Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, and Joe Burrow—all quarterbacks selected with the first overall pick—are on the list.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, in Indianapolis, Miami quarterback Cam Ward addresses a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)AP
Whether Ward or Sanders will be the next is still up in the air, but both have a ton of tape for scouts to go through because they each started 50 or more games while playing for several different institutions.
Before doing the same at Colorado, Sanders and his father used their flamboyant flair to help revitalize programs at Jackson State in Mississippi. After rising from FCS hero at Incarnate Word in Texas to Washington State’s starting quarterback and then almost leading Miami to the CFP playoffs, Ward threw an NCAA-record 158 touchdown passes.
However, as they walk the halls of the Indianapolis Convention Center this week, part of the same quarterback group, Sanders and Ward appear to be practically inseparable as they consider their futures and how to present themselves to general managers and coaches.
Sanders remarked, “Don’t get me if you’re not trying to change the franchise.” You should be aware that history repeats itself, and since I have done it repeatedly, there should be no doubt as to why an NFL team should choose me.
There are many questions to be answered, but there isn’t much disagreement on their productivity or winning style.
Sanders, who stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 215 pounds, is a decent size, has a strong arm, is mobile in the pocket, and has the kind of strong demeanor that a locker room leader needs. He must, however, demonstrate that his college throws into narrow windows won’t result in NFL turnovers, and he must get rid of his tendency to take sacks. Others question whether his father’s influence could cause issues.
Sanders dismissed such skepticism.
Do you believe I’m concerned about what people have to say or what critics think? Do you know my father? According to Shedeur Sanders, they also detested him. Thus, it’s practically typical. It is not typical for us to be hated by others. Adversity appeals to us. Everything about the name appeals to us. We are who we are for that reason.
At 6-2 and 223 pounds, Ward is a little larger, but he throws with more force, has a better arm, and releases the ball faster. However, he occasionally has trouble with accuracy and reading coverages.
Additionally, people who have played with Ward maintain that he has a different attitude in the locker room than Sanders, despite the fact that he is a more restrained public speaker.
“I think the most important thing is the kind of leader he is,” former Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo stated on Thursday. “Everyone sees what he does on the field, his confidence, and everything.” He doesn’t hesitate to hold others responsible. He doesn’t care how he makes his point; he just wants to win and holds the team to a specific standard.
However, since there isn’t a definite favorite going into or going out of combine week, the argument about who is superior will only intensify as they train on campus and travel across the nation for team interviews.
They have a single belief: No matter where they end up, both will succeed.
I simply believe that the effort that he and I are prepared to do, our connection, and our daily competition to improve ourselves and our craft, I simply believe it will ultimately benefit us in the long run, Ward said.
Written by AP Sports Writer Michael Marot
