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As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, all eyes are on who will go first overall, and it seems University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the consensus favorite.
With his stock soaring in recent months, Ward's name is now being mentioned in the same breath as some of the NFL's elite, including Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
Cam Ward could transform the Tennessee Titans
NFL franchises in need of a franchise quarterback are looking hard at Ward, who put up eye-popping numbers during his final year at Miami.
After a season in which he threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both school records,
Ward has separated himself from the rest of the quarterback class.
Now, one ESPN analyst believes his talent could translate into something truly special.
"I said my comp for Cam Ward because the way he plays, he reminds me of Patrick," ESPN's Louis Riddick said on NFL Live.
"He reminds me of Mahomes with how he can be unconventional. He can throw the ball from all different types of weird angles and then put a bunch of horsepower on it when he needs to."
Riddick didn't hold back when describing the potential impact Ward could have.
"To me, if someone was telling me 'hey that's maybe what you are getting,' I would be pretty damn excited," he added.
"Now, I'm not saying I'm exactly right, but that's my bet-that Cam Ward will have that kind of impact and play that style of football in Tennessee if they happen to select him No. 1."
The Titans, who hold the top pick in this year's draft, may be ready to move on from former quarterback Will Levis.
New head coach Bill Callahan was brought in largely due to his reputation for quarterback development.
Ward's mix of athleticism, strong arm, and poise under pressure make him an ideal candidate for a team in transition.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 219 pounds, Ward mirrors Mahomes' physical build.
But it's his improvisational skill set and high football IQ that have scouts buzzing.
With records broken and comparisons drawn, Ward is not just a promising prospect, he's potentially a franchise-changing one.