Urban Meyer names his 2024 ‘recruit of the year’ after Week 1 performance

Urban Meyer had an eye on the Florida-Miami game in Week 1, and like the rest of the college football world, the former coach was impressed with what he saw from the Hurricanes quarterback.

“I’ll tell you what, Cam Ward, that is to me recruit of the year,” Meyer said on The Triple Option podcast. “I think he instantly transformed. I think he’s that good. I went back and watched it, he’s that good. I saw him coming out of I think Washington State last year and he was the No. 1 transfer quarterback coming out, and teams were all over him. Mario Cristobal got the recruit of the year with Cam Ward.”

While some may take issue with using the label “recruit” for a transfer out of the portal, Ward is certainly an impact addition for the Hurricanes.

In a 41-17 blowout win over the Gators, Ward put together a monster performance, completing 74% of his passes (26-of-35) for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ward has been recognized as the Maxwell Award Player of the Week and the ACC Quarterback of the Week.

Ward has had quite the college football journey. He began his career at Incarnate Word in 2020. FCS programs did not play their season until the spring of 2021. Ward would play 6 games in the spring season and 13 in the fall season.

After throwing for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns in his first full season (fall 2021), Ward decided to move up to the FBS ranks. He spent two seasons as Washington State, throwing for nearly 7,000 yards (6,968) and 48 touchdowns.

We’ll see if Ward can continue to thrive as the Hurricanes seek to win their first ACC title and reach the College Football Playoff.

We’re back with another episode of #TheTripleOption! This week we’re joined by special guest @ColtMcCoy to talk all things CFB, his retirement, preview Texas vs. Michigan in the Big House, and what would’ve happened if he never got hurt in the 2010 National Championship … pic.twitter.com/2YWbSGQC5M

— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) September 4, 2024

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.