This year’s draft saw Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward both in the running for the coveted top pick, yet their paths differed sharply. The whole generational talent versus legendary thing had the internet buzzing for months. These two QBs, both coached by Darrell Colbert Jr., had some friendly bets and trash talk going about who’d be the first to get drafted in the NFL. Ward rode the wave of increasing hype, ultimately securing the No. 1 spot. In contrast, Shedeur’s initial frontrunner status diminished, fading into speculation by the 21st pick. While momentum propelled one, uncertainty seemed to hinder the other. Under the intense draft night lights, Ward remained composed, making a decisive leap that left Shedeur and others behind, turning his aspirations into reality.

Cam Ward rolled into Green Bay for the draft rocking a cream monochrome suit and absolutely crushed it. Despite the journey from a zero-star recruit with just one FCS offer out of a Wing-T high school offense, he defied the odds. Even before the big night, you could see the potential brewing at Washington State, and then Miami really unlocked it, giving him the spotlight. He racked up some serious hardware in 2024 alone—the Davey O’Brien, the Manning, and Miami’s first ACC Player of the Year, all thanks to a season with 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Then came draft night….The Tennessee Titans snagged him as the No. 1 overall pick. Front Office Sports even called it a historic pick value. You could feel the buzz, especially from anyone who might’ve doubted him (maybe even the QB from Boulder). And get this—Ward’s signing bonus? A record-smashing $43 million! That four-year contract works out to about $7.82 million a year for him. It kind of wrapped up all the Shedeur Sanders hype, even though Shedeur had a killer season himself at Colorado, turning things around and throwing for 4,134 yards with 37 TDs and a crazy 74% completion rate. Both these QBs are seriously talented, but this draft was all about Ward’s well-deserved win.

However, Skip Bayless stood apart from the consensus of experts who favored Cam Ward as the top 2025 NFL Draft pick. He strongly advocated for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, lauding his accuracy, toughness, and leadership. Bayless was resolute, stating during his live draft coverage, “This should be Shedeur’s moment. He should be going to the Tennessee Titans. The Tennessee Titans will forever regret not taking Shedeur number one. No one questions it.”

Bayless attributed Shedeur’s slide in the draft not to a lack of skill, but to what he described as a damaging smear campaign. “I have never seen anything like the smear campaign on Shedeur Sanders, who should be going the first overall right here right now,” Bayless exclaimed, pointing to negative narratives from unnamed sources.

He specifically mentioned an anonymous NFL assistant coach who labeled Shedeur Sanders an “entitled QB,” blaming his teammates at the Combine. Another coach echoed this sentiment, calling him “arrogant.” This wave of negativity influenced public perception, causing Shedeur’s mock draft position to fall as low as 31st.

Despite not creating mock drafts himself, Bayless noted that Mel Kiper Jr. had ranked Shedeur ahead of Cam Ward before the draft. Even with the Titans selecting the more widely favored Ward, Bayless remained convinced of Shedeur’s superior quarterbacking ability, stating, “I don’t hate Cam Ward, but I haven’t seen anyone tougher than Shedeur Sanders.” Given Bayless’s recent successful predictions, such as his Super Bowl call, his assessment might hold weight. Only time will tell if Tennessee made the right decision or missed out on a franchise quarterback. But for now, the spotlight belongs to Cam Ward.

A night full of emotions for Cam Ward

The anticipation for one of the most significant nights in Cam Ward’s life was evident in his pre-draft words: “I’m ready too.” He also shared his immediate plans, saying, “I’ve got to get back to my own place. I’m excited to see where I’m going to be playing so I can start looking for a house and start moving.” So, going from almost winning the Heisman to being the very first pick in the draft? That just shows how incredibly successful he’s been.

Yet, under the bright lights of his achievement, Cam made sure to acknowledge those who supported him. At the podium, his voice filled with emotion as he reflected on his journey, stating, “I’ve attended three different colleges throughout my college journey. My father’s name is Calvin Ward. Patrice Ward is my mother. They’ve been there all my life; they’ve been to every one of my youth games since I got to middle school and high school. They’ve missed zero games of my college career.” His gratitude was more than just words; it was a testament to their unwavering support.

In fact, Calvin Ward compared his son’s path to the pro league to that of Brett Favre. Yeah, he understands the connection—rooted in similar rural backgrounds and relentless drive. You’ve got the proud dad vibes on one side, and on the other, Mom Patrice getting all emotional, saying, “We do pinch ourselves” when she thinks about how far her son’s come.

Even amidst the glamour of the NFL, Cam Ward remains grounded, noting the proximity of his new team to his family: “In Miami, it’ll be only a two-hour trip from Texas to Miami. They’re playing, being in every NFL game, no matter if we’re playing in the United States or we’re playing overseas. They enjoy watching me play. It means a lot to me to have them be a part of every game, be a part of my life every day. So, I’ve been blessed. They’ve sacrificed financially for me, time, just putting me in positions to showcase my skills. So, you know, I’m always going to support them. Why they support me,” he added. This victory is not just Cam’s; it’s a shared triumph.

Cam Ward’s exceptional talent seems to run in the family. His father, while working as a fuel buyer at a nuclear power plant in Texas, played football in high school. His mother shared her background: “I’m a high school special education teacher. I’ve been doing it for 29 years. I’m also an assistant girls’ basketball coach; my oldest daughter is the head coach, so I’m her varsity assistant.” It totally makes sense why Cam Ward is such a phenom.

Now that Cam Ward has etched his name in history with his exceptional move to the NFL, the hope is that his professional career will shine just as brightly.