How Cam Ward beat the odds to become the No. 1 draft pick - ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Cam Ward approached NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on draft night, he flashed a confident smile befitting someone who had beaten the odds after starting his collegiate career at a school that's never had a player drafted to the NFL.

Yes, Ward played his final college season at Miami, but his early collegiate days began in front of 6,000 people on game days as a freshman at Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Still, the zero-star high school prospect never lacked self-belief despite Incarnate Word being his lone offer.

«I've had the dream since I was a little kid,» Ward said after being selected. «I had bigger aspirations than being just a draft pick. I just think I just wanted it more. I have a true love for the game of football and believe if you put in hard work with God on your side, a lot of stuff can take care of itself.»

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After two transfers and five college seasons, Ward finally saw his lifelong goals come to fruition Thursday when the Tennessee Titans made him the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL draft. Ward, 22, initially declared for the 2024 draft but reversed his decision after getting feedback that he would be a midround pick, which only fueled him more. Over the past year, he channeled his frustration and embraced who he is, so in that moment Thursday night, standing next to Goodell and holding up a Titans jersey, he was where he always was supposed to be.

Ward passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns last season — both Miami single-season records. He also won the Davey O'Brien