# 1 Pick ~ Ward to Titans

[M-I-Coug]

Cam Ward goes No. 1, Travis Hunter 2nd and Shedeur Sanders not picked in 1st round of NFL draft | The Seattle Times​

ROB MAADDI
April 24, 2025

The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Cam Ward went from zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Travis Hunter cost Jacksonville a premium. Jaxson Dart was selected before Shedeur Sanders.

While Ward, Hunter and Abdul Carter went 1-2-3 as expected, Sanders wasn’t picked at all in the first round.

“We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible,” Sanders told family and friends at his draft party. “I don’t think this happened for no reason. All this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.”

Sanders was passed over by every team that had a need for a potential franchise quarterback, even though some draft analysts had him rated higher than Ward. The New York Giants had two opportunities to take Sanders — who starred at Colorado under his father, coach Deion Sanders — and went with Penn State edge rusher Carter with the No. 3 pick, bolstering an already strong pass rush.

The Titans explored their options with the first pick before it became clear a few weeks ago that Ward would be their man.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Ward’s name to kick off the draft, which for the first time was held next to historic Lambeau Field. The NFL’s smallest market is hosting the league’s biggest offseason event as thousands of fans from across the country traveled to Titletown for the festivities.

Goodell rode a bicycle onto the draft stage and was followed by former Packers stars Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson, Mason Crosby, Ahman Green and James Jones, as well as rap megastar and Green Bay superfan Lil Wayne.

As usual, fans booed Goodell when he opened the extravaganza.

Titans fans cheered inside the draft theater after hearing Ward’s name called. An overlooked high school player out of Texas, Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word, an FCS school in San Antonio. He played two seasons at Washington State after transferring there in 2022 and then set school records in his only season at Miami, finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

“Everything that I went through, not a lot of people went through the process from high school to this point can make it to this level and continue to have the same work ethic since day one, but I had God by my side and if you have that, the rest takes care of itself,” Ward said.

The Titans are coming off a three-win season and have missed the playoffs three straight years. Ward is the fourth quarterback Tennessee has drafted in the first round over the past two decades, joining Marcus Mariota (No. 2, 2015), Jake Locker (No. 8, 2011) and Vince Young (No. 3, 2006).

Mariota is the only QB drafted by Tennessee in that span who led the team to a playoff win. That was back in 2017.

Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in 2023, is 5-16 as a starter in his two seasons with the Titans.

Ward led the country with 39 touchdown passes and finished second with 4,313 yards passing while leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. Ward also had only seven interceptions and completed 67.2% of his passes.

 

[COUGinNCW]

I guess pulling himself out of the bowl game didn’t hurt his draft stock much.

 

[Coug90]

I guess pulling himself out of the bowl game didn’t hurt his draft stock much.

I mean everyone pulls themselves out of bowl games these days. Hoping KW gets a bump for sticking it out with his team, that’s a rare find.

 

[Coug90]

Cam Ward goes No. 1, Travis Hunter 2nd and Shedeur Sanders not picked in 1st round of NFL draft | The Seattle Times​

ROB MAADDI
April 24, 2025

The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Cam Ward went from zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Travis Hunter cost Jacksonville a premium. Jaxson Dart was selected before Shedeur Sanders.

While Ward, Hunter and Abdul Carter went 1-2-3 as expected, Sanders wasn’t picked at all in the first round.

“We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible,” Sanders told family and friends at his draft party. “I don’t think this happened for no reason. All this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.”

Sanders was passed over by every team that had a need for a potential franchise quarterback, even though some draft analysts had him rated higher than Ward. The New York Giants had two opportunities to take Sanders — who starred at Colorado under his father, coach Deion Sanders — and went with Penn State edge rusher Carter with the No. 3 pick, bolstering an already strong pass rush.

The Titans explored their options with the first pick before it became clear a few weeks ago that Ward would be their man.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Ward’s name to kick off the draft, which for the first time was held next to historic Lambeau Field. The NFL’s smallest market is hosting the league’s biggest offseason event as thousands of fans from across the country traveled to Titletown for the festivities.

Goodell rode a bicycle onto the draft stage and was followed by former Packers stars Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson, Mason Crosby, Ahman Green and James Jones, as well as rap megastar and Green Bay superfan Lil Wayne.

As usual, fans booed Goodell when he opened the extravaganza.

Titans fans cheered inside the draft theater after hearing Ward’s name called. An overlooked high school player out of Texas, Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word, an FCS school in San Antonio. He played two seasons at Washington State after transferring there in 2022 and then set school records in his only season at Miami, finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

“Everything that I went through, not a lot of people went through the process from high school to this point can make it to this level and continue to have the same work ethic since day one, but I had God by my side and if you have that, the rest takes care of itself,” Ward said.

The Titans are coming off a three-win season and have missed the playoffs three straight years. Ward is the fourth quarterback Tennessee has drafted in the first round over the past two decades, joining Marcus Mariota (No. 2, 2015), Jake Locker (No. 8, 2011) and Vince Young (No. 3, 2006).

Mariota is the only QB drafted by Tennessee in that span who led the team to a playoff win. That was back in 2017.

Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in 2023, is 5-16 as a starter in his two seasons with the Titans.

Ward led the country with 39 touchdown passes and finished second with 4,313 yards passing while leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. Ward also had only seven interceptions and completed 67.2% of his passes.

Did Ward put the ball on the ground last year? They never put the fumbles in w QB stats but to me those are worse than picks. 20-50 yards of field position and probably better chance they go for six. Ward killed WSU with all of his fumbles.

 

[UberCougars]

Ward had three fumbles last year at Miami. Tied at #23 with 40 other QB’s including Mateer.

21 QB had 4 or more.

 

[Coug90]

Ward had three fumbles last year at Miami. Tied at #23 with 40 other QB’s including Mateer.

21 QB had 4 or more.

That’s less than I would have expected. He was also playing against a lot of trash DLines with a pretty talented OLine in front of him. Like I said before his looks next year are going to probably feel a lot more like his days at Wazzu, so I hope he can keep bad habits at bay. NFL pass rushers have elite speed and are relentless when it comes to going after the football.

 

[dgibbons]

That’s less than I would have expected. He was also playing against a lot of trash DLines with a pretty talented OLine in front of him. Like I said before his looks next year are going to probably feel a lot more like his days at Wazzu, so I hope he can keep bad habits at bay. NFL pass rushers have elite speed and are relentless when it comes to going after the football.

Ward successfully stepped up his performance by going from Incarnate Word to WSU to Miami.

 

[Coug90]

Ward successfully stepped up his performance by going from Incarnate Word to WSU to Miami.

He also stepped up his performance from yr 1 at WSU to year 2 at WSU. Then UCLA rattled TF out of him and he wasn’t the same the rest of the year. All I’m saying is he’s gonna see plenty of that next year, assuming he’s the day 1 starter which would be expected.

 

[CougPatrol]

He also made a few people here look pretty foolish with their predictions about his NFL stock.

 

[dgibbons]

He also stepped up his performance from yr 1 at WSU to year 2 at WSU. Then UCLA rattled TF out of him and he wasn’t the same the rest of the year. All I’m saying is he’s gonna see plenty of that next year, assuming he’s the day 1 starter which would be expected.

Why you, Biggs and others do nothing but scrutinize and criticize the guy is baffling. As my uncle says, if he shit gold you'd complain it wasn't diamonds.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Ward successfully stepped up his performance by going from Incarnate Word to WSU to Miami.

He went from one program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb. And you wont let go of his nuts why?

4-5 in league followed by 2-7 in league at WSU.

Bledsoe, Leaf, Gesser, Minshew all wayyy better qbs than Cant Ward. There may be a couple others too.

And here he goes #1 in a qb starved year and this is rock solid truth that I was wrong? lol I guess we will find out soon enough when he actually steps onto a NFL field and there are no more weak schedules to prop him up or fanboys like you, your wife uberstupid and cuckpatrol to jock his nutz.

Maybe you should watch the AC again and see what a real NFL qb prospect does …. 700 yards of offense…. Yeah, Cant Ward is amazing lol

 

[dgibbons]

He went from one program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb. And you wont let go of his nuts why?

4-5 in league followed by 2-7 in league at WSU.

Bledsoe, Leaf, Gesser, Minshew all wayyy better qbs than Cant Ward. There may be a couple others too.

And here he goes #1 in a qb starved year and this is rock solid truth that I was wrong? lol I guess we will find out soon enough when he actually steps onto a NFL field and there are no more weak schedules to prop him up or fanboys like you, your wife uberstupid and cuckpatrol to jock his nutz.

Maybe you should watch the AC again and see what a real NFL qb prospect does …. 700 yards of offense…. Yeah, Cant Ward is amazing lol

Hey there butt fumble. Ward was the number 1 pick in the draft, remember? It happened yesterday. You laughed about Ward making camp.

 

[BiggsCoug]

He also stepped up his performance from yr 1 at WSU to year 2 at WSU. Then UCLA rattled TF out of him and he wasn’t the same the rest of the year. All I’m saying is he’s gonna see plenty of that next year, assuming he’s the day 1 starter which would be expected.

Year 1 at WSU…. 4 league wins.
Year 2 at WSU…. 2 league wins.

What exactly did he step up?

 

[BiggsCoug]

Hey there butt fumble. Ward was the number 1 pick in the draft, remember? It happened yesterday. You laughed about Ward making camp.

And Jamarcus Russell??? Lots of qbs taken #1 that dont work out. You act like his draft at #1 also got him a gold jacket. Idiot.

 

[dgibbons]

And Jamarcus Russell??? Lots of qbs taken #1 that dont work out. You act like his draft at #1 also got him a gold jacket. Idiot.

Are you capable of admitting that you were totally wrong about Ward not making camp? Like you tried to back the car out of the garage and wound up in the living room wrong?

And the ultimate irony is you fawn over Leaf and ignore he's one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

 

[Coug90]

The dumbfckery of Trump and the NFL draft collide. What a F’n idiot.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Are you capable of admitting that you were totally wrong about Ward not making camp? Like you tried to back the car out of the garage and wound up in the living room wrong?

And the ultimate irony is you fawn over Leaf and ignore he's one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

Are you willing to admit you were totally wrong about DickTurd being a good coach? Are you willing to admit you dont know shit about football? Are you willing to actually answer any questikns ever directly? Are you willing to stop ducking dodging and avoiding every question asked? Are you willing to admit that you dont have an original thought in your head about football? Are you willing to admit you parrot everything a head coach says because you dont know shit about football?

Finally, are you willing to admit you fcked your clients in court when you lost for them and cost them millions? Maybe focus on your job and not stalking my posts???

 

[Coug90]

Year 1 at WSU…. 4 league wins.
Year 2 at WSU…. 2 league wins.

What exactly did he step up?

He stepped up UNTIL UCLA when he got rocked and then reverted back to ‘22 Cam. He was much more polished the first 4 games than he was the year before, that was undeniable. Then it went quickly off the rails.

 

[BiggsCoug]

He stepped up UNTIL UCLA when he got rocked and then reverted back to ‘22 Cam. He was much more polished the first 4 games than he was the year before, that was undeniable. Then it went quickly off the rails.

So very deserving of his #1 draft pick on that performance?

 

[Coug90]

So very deserving of his #1 draft pick on that performance?

No I certainly didn’t say that. I think as most highly drafted QBs go that’s up in the air and I give it a 70/30 or 80/20 chance he’s Geno Smith. I wouldn’t ever have drafted Geno Smith with the #1 pick.

I don’t think he will be a “bust”. I think it’s highly likely he ends up an average to below average fringe starter. He would have been the 7th or 8th QB off the board if last years QBs were in this draft. I would have traded that pick or drafted Hunter or the Penn State kid at #1.

 

[BiggsCoug]

No I certainly didn’t say that. I think as most highly drafted QBs go that’s up in the air and I give it a 70/30 or 80/20 chance he’s Geno Smith. I wouldn’t ever have drafted Geno Smith with the #1 pick.

I don’t think he will be a “bust”. I think it’s highly likely he ends up an average to below average fringe starter. He would have been the 7th or 8th QB off the board if last years QBs were in this draft. I would have traded that pick or drafted Hunter or the Penn State kid at #1.

He went from being a camp arm/career back up to the #1 pick in a qb starved draft. Desperate teams do desperate things.

 

[dgibbons]

Are you willing to admit you were totally wrong about DickTurd being a good coach? Are you willing to admit you dont know shit about football? Are you willing to actually answer any questikns ever directly? Are you willing to stop ducking dodging and avoiding every question asked? Are you willing to admit that you dont have an original thought in your head about football? Are you willing to admit you parrot everything a head coach says because you dont know shit about football?

Finally, are you willing to admit you fcked your clients in court when you lost for them and cost them millions? Maybe focus on your job and not stalking my posts???

Can’t stay on topic. I’m shocked, shocked I say!

The jealousy Dickert has been patently obvious for years. No need to remind anyone.

 

[dgibbons]

He stepped up UNTIL UCLA when he got rocked and then reverted back to ‘22 Cam. He was much more polished the first 4 games than he was the year before, that was undeniable. Then it went quickly off the rails.

And PFF gave Pole 0.0 pass protection grade that game as I recall.

 

[Coug90]

And PFF gave Pole 0.0 pass protection grade that game as I recall.

Not the point. The point is he went into a shell for the remainder of the year. Put your balls back in your jock and keep playing. I’ll be honest I didn’t watch him a lot last year but there’s plenty to be skeptical of with how ‘23 went after that UCLA game. Just my opinion I could be wrong.

I’m also rooting for him. He’s a good kid.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Can’t stay on topic. I’m shocked, shocked I say!

The jealousy Dickert has been patently obvious for years. No need to remind anyone.

I just called a buddy of mine. He is in the PNW fight scene. I asked him if he knew of a gym that would take some action. He does. Two of them in fact.

Any time you wanna glove up, we can. In fact, I can schedule it for next week in Seattle. I will call around Monday and see if I can find something in Spokane. Waivers, refs, all of it.

Cage or ring. Doesnt matter to me.

Winner gets to post whatever. Loser leaves the message board altogether.

Ya in or not?

 

[Coug90]

I just called a buddy of mine. He is in the PNW fight scene. I asked him if he knew of a gym that would take some action. He does. Two of them in fact.

Any time you wanna glove up, we can. In fact, I can schedule it for next week in Seattle. I will call around Monday and see if I can find something in Spokane. Waivers, refs, all of it.

Cage or ring. Doesnt matter to me.

Winner gets to post whatever. Loser leaves the message board altogether.

Ya in or not?

 

[BiggsCoug]

View embedded media

Yasssss

Only Im serious. What’s funny is my buddy asked me who it was. He laughed. Apparently stupidgibbons isnt well thought of on other WSU msg boards where he posts. Not surprised. lol

 

[dgibbons]

Not the point. The point is he went into a shell for the remainder of the year. Put your balls back in your jock and keep playing. I’ll be honest I didn’t watch him a lot last year but there’s plenty to be skeptical of with how ‘23 went after that UCLA game. Just my opinion I could be wrong.

I’m also rooting for him. He’s a good kid.

Had a good game against Oregon as I recall. AC was at least solid. I’d have to look up the box scores for the rest.

 

[dgibbons]

I just called a buddy of mine. He is in the PNW fight scene. I asked him if he knew of a gym that would take some action. He does. Two of them in fact.

Any time you wanna glove up, we can. In fact, I can schedule it for next week in Seattle. I will call around Monday and see if I can find something in Spokane. Waivers, refs, all of it.

Cage or ring. Doesnt matter to me.

Winner gets to post whatever. Loser leaves the message board altogether.

Ya in or not?

Glad you have a friend. But this is another butt fumble. I can post a whatever I want now. I’d get nothing for winning.

And why is it so hard for you to just admit you blew it?

 

[Coug90]

Had a good game against Oregon as I recall. AC was at least solid. I’d have to look up the box scores for the rest.

UCLA beat him twice. He didn’t even come out of the tunnel against Zona.

 

[Coug90]

Glad you have a friend. But this is another butt fumble. I can post a whatever I want now. I’d get nothing for winning.

And why is it so hard for you to just admit you blew it?

Probably the same reason it’s so hard for you to admit you blew it w Trump 🤷

 

[BiggsCoug]

Glad you have a friend. But this is another butt fumble. I can post a whatever I want now. I’d get nothing for winning.

And why is it so hard for you to just admit you blew it?

So no?

I guess I could stalk you the same way you do me. Think your firm will be impressed when the guy you’ve talked shit to for years shows up? How does that conversation go? Will you actually answer those questions? Why is this guy here? Did you really talk shit to him like this? How did he find you and us? Are we at risk? Was this strong decision making on your part? Do we need to look at your billing? Has he contacted your clients and told them your billing needs audited? Why didnt you just schedule the gym time with him?

 

[95coug]

Wow. Now there’s only one team left to pick in the 2nd that has much need for a QB (Raiders at 58). Sanders could fall into the 3rd….

 

[Coug90]

Wow. Now there’s only one team left to pick in the 2nd that has much need for a QB (Raiders at 58). Sanders could fall into the 3rd….

Sanders going to the Steelers in the 80s. 😂

And Colorado is going 6-6 next year.

 

[UberCougars]

He went from one program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb to another program desperate for a qb. And you wont let go of his nuts why?

4-5 in league followed by 2-7 in league at WSU.

Bledsoe, Leaf, Gesser, Minshew all wayyy better qbs than Cant Ward. There may be a couple others too.

And here he goes #1 in a qb starved year and this is rock solid truth that I was wrong? lol I guess we will find out soon enough when he actually steps onto a NFL field and there are no more weak schedules to prop him up or fanboys like you, your wife uberstupid and cuckpatrol to jock his nutz.

Maybe you should watch the AC again and see what a real NFL qb prospect does …. 700 yards of offense…. Yeah, Cant Ward is amazing lol

I think your problem is that you think we’re discussing futball but we’re talking about the NFL which is American football.

Hope this helps!

 

[95coug]

Ha! Raiders picked a receiver, so barring a trade, Sanders falls to the 3rd round.

Giants have the first pick of the 3rd, so maybe he ends up where he was projected all along….just two rounds later and for a couple million dollars less.

 

[Coug90]

Ha! Raiders picked a receiver, so barring a trade, Sanders falls to the 3rd round.

Giants have the first pick of the 3rd, so maybe he ends up where he was projected all along….just two rounds later and for a couple million dollars less.

Giants tool Dart. They ain’t taking him. Steelers at like 85. Hell at this point maybe they just let him drop to the 7th.

 

[95coug]

Giants tool Dart. They ain’t taking him. Steelers at like 85. Hell at this point maybe they just let him drop to the 7th.

That’s right…they traded up to not take him.

What a slap.

Saints? Jets? Cowboys? Colts? Steelers?

I suppose the Bucs are a possibility. Rams, Seahawks, browns, raiders…otherwise he’s a 4th rounder, and his rookie contract might not even cover the cost of his custom cleats and limo rental.

 

[95coug]

Kyle Williams to the Patriots, Rd 3 pick 5

 

[BiggsCoug]

I want the Titans to take him.