“[Cam] Ward should be drafted first overall,” Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal had said just last week talking about his former pupil. A 2024 season transfer from Washington State, the 22-year-old had turned heads from his first game under his new coach—he had completed 74 percent of his passes, throwing for 385 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception vs the Florida Gators—and continued to do so till the end of the season. However, as the NFL Draft loomed near, so did multiple questions about the roster’s future. And going by a community insider’s revelations, things don’t look too good. But before we get to that…

What makes the young quarterback so good? Talent, of course, but hard work and self-belief seemed to have done the trick better. With “God and work”, the youngster single-handedly propelled himself as a country-leader in passing touchdowns (39), tied for first on throws of 20-plus yards (74) and finished second in passing yards (4,313) in 2024. He also posted the second-best QBR nationally at 88.7, leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. “His competitiveness, his way of being, the way he affects people around him, he’s second to none,” the Miami coach had said.

However, currently, Ward is making waves elsewhere, with scouts eagerly waiting for the 2025 NFL Draft to officially commence. Touted to be picked No. 1 overall by the New York Giants, not just him but the roster is reportedly losing more than they can afford. As per reports, the Hurricanes will be losing all four of their primary receivers from last season: Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Sam Brown, and Isaiah Horton (transferred to the Alabama Crimson Tide). Not just that, Cristobal also lost running backs Ajay Allen and Chris Johnson to the transfer portal, and Damien Martinez to the draft.

And then there’s tight ends Elijah Arroyo, Riley Williams, left tackle/left guard Jalen Rivers and center Zach Carpenter, defensive linemen Tyler Baron, Simeon Barrow, Elijah Alston, CJ Clark and Marley Cook, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, and defensive back Mishael Powella among others—all of whom have either transferred, or are fighting for a place in the big league. Meaning? Trouble for Cristobal, and his new quarterback, Carson Becjk, which was discussed by CBS Sports’ college football reporter Chip Patterson…

On March 5, Patterson, his colleague Tom Fornelli, and 247 Sports’ National CFB/Recruiting/Origination Editor Bud Elliott, hopped onto the Cover 3 podcast where they discussed what’s on everybody’s mind. Patterson first pointed out, “What are we gonna do without Xavier Restrepo? Oh God…Xavier Restrepo’s target share has allowed him to become the most productive wide receivers in Miami football history…Miami had 10 players invited to the NFL draft combine that included Xavier…but also Cam Ward and many more. What is your concern level? Obviously we know what we’re doing with the quarterback position with Carson Beck stepping in. What about the rest of that group and Miami’s talent coming back. How much concern?

Bud Elliott didn’t hold back: “A lot of concern over leadership on offense…losing Cam, losing Restrepo, losing some guys who had been there a while, who cared. And I don’t think that’s a shot at Carson Beck, but maybe it is. I don’t know.” And that’s where things get messy. Because if Miami’s offense is missing leadership, what exactly is Carson Beck walking into? Look, Cam Ward wasn’t just a quarterback for Miami—he was the heartbeat of the offense and a locker-room leader. Came in from Washington State and turned the ‘Canes into ACC contenders overnight. The numbers speak for themselves. And, let’s not forget—Man wasn’t just slinging the rock; he was inspiring his squad.

Bud Elliott painted the picture: “That’s just from—you know, I was in Orlando, Bron, Tampa, Miami, and a couple of other stops over the last week on the recruiting circuit. That’s what came up a couple of times. Just talking to people I trust, leadership is the concern. Translation?

Cam Ward was THAT guy. He didn’t just put up stats. He got his guys locked in. He was the loudest voice in the locker room, the spark plug for an offense that Miami desperately needed. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Ward-less squad (pun intended), as Elliott further pointed out, “Defensively they should be better. It’d be hard not to.” 

To this, Fornelli stated, “Philosophy wise, they should be better. I don’t even know if it’s a upgraded talent as much as it’s just going to be, ‘Let’s use common sense on the defensive side of the ball’. I have concerns about that, but they’re alleviated by the conference that they play in. I do think they’re going to be the best team on the field most weeks. Like they have to play Notre Dame, won’t be easy. Florida won’t be easy…but for the most part, you look at that schedule and it’s like I’m not saying they won’t have tough games. But by and large, still feel like they’re better than the teams they’re playing,” he said before adding, “Also, we don’t know what Carson Beck looks like.”

For the unversed: Beck, who transferred to the Hurricanes in January this year, after serving as the Georgia Bulldogs’ primary starter completed 68% of his passes (628 of 923) for 7,912 yards, 58 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his college career. He appeared in 39 games for Georgia, 27 of them in the last two seasons. However, critics have already started sharing their reservations about the new QB with many stating how the team isn’t going to be as “potent” under Beck, “unless he improves his ball security and decision-making”.

Having said that, even according to Bud Elliot, Carson Beck isn’t the leader material for Mario Cristobal’s Miami, based on camp whispers.

Mario Cristobal’s glaring void

Miami isn’t just losing Cam Ward. They’re bleeding talent across the board. Ten Hurricanes hit the NFL Combine, showcasing Miami’s ability to produce top-tier talent—but also exposing a brutal truth: they’ve got holes. Cam Ward had Xavier Restrepo and Elijah Arroyo to keep the offense humming. Those two? Gone. Restrepo led the ACC in receiving yards and touchdowns. Arroyo turned into a major weapon. The chemistry they built with Ward was elite, and replacing that? Yeah, good luck.

Patterson mentioned it: “The Cam Ward story was how all-in he got everybody else on that offense. As soon as he got to Miami, he was the biggest voice. He was driving people, inspiring people. And that’s something that, sure, is gonna be missed.” So the real question is—can Carson Beck be that QB for Miami?

Mario Cristobal’s got work to do. He’s watching a loaded roster turn into an NFL pipeline while his current team stares down a major leadership crisis. Carson Beck has the tools to keep Miami relevant, but the mentality shift? That’s the real test. The Hurricanes went from 7 to 6 to 10-3 under Cam Ward. With a stronger defense, they would’ve been playoff-bound. Now, the program is banking on Beck not just being a good quarterback but a leader—a guy who can bring the locker room together and elevate the offense.

If he can’t? Well… Miami might be in for a long season.