Brian Callahan watched virtually every single snap that Cam Ward played in five seasons on the college level that have allowed the big-play quarterback to perhaps catapult to the top of the NFL Draft.
The big takeaway? Consistency.
“It’s been cool to see that real progression to where he’s at now, from where he came from,” Callahan, the second-year Tennessee Titans coach, said during the NFL league meetings last week.
Ward started his college career on the FCS level at Incarnate Word. After two seasons at Washington State, he marked his spot on the map for the upcoming draft with a banner season at the University of Miami (Fla.).
“He’s made a lot of really impressive improvements over his career so far,” Callahan said.
The Titans have yet to declare whether they will select Ward with the top pick overall on April 24, but at this point — barring a blockbuster trade — it would be considered a stunner to many draft experts if they don’t.
Perhaps another came over the weekend when the Titans and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders mutually agreed to cancel a private workout. The Titans sent a large contingent to Boulder, Colorado, to attend the showcase on Friday that featured Sanders and Heisman Trophy-winning two-way prospect Travis Hunter, Jr., yet the absence of a follow-up private workout with Sanders could be interpreted as another sign that the team is leaning toward Ward.
If the Titans are still considering Sanders for the top pick, why wouldn’t they take the opportunity to gather more intel and develop an even better feel? After all, with the top pick, there’s no need for a smokescreen. And the team already had a private session with Ward on March 28.
In any event, Callahan insisted last that the team was committed to doing its due diligence over the final weeks of the pre-draft process.
“You turn over all the rocks,” Callahan said.
That has included his extensive dive into Ward (6-2, 219), who passed for 4.313 yards and 39 touchdowns in earning ACC Player of the Year honors and exploding into arguably the top quarterback in the draft. In 38 games over three seasons, he passed for 87 TDs.
The additional year in college provided a huge benefit. Had Ward, 22, entered the draft last year, he might have been rated on a tier below the six quarterbacks chosen among the top 12 picks in the first round.
Now he’s rated by many as the No. 1 pick overall. What an ascent.
“You saw the flashes at Washington State ... then you saw the consistency,” Callahan told USA TODAY Sports. “I think that just comes from playing. I think that’s why these guys that have stayed in school longer and are playing four and five years, I think it’s helping them. Because they’re getting chances to get more reps and more opportunities. And you see their game sort of smooth out, become more consistent, become more pro-ready.
“You see that progression. You see his decision-making become more consistent. You see the accuracy become more consistent.”
Of course, the Titans might be banking in a big way for Ward’s progression to continue on the ...
