Who thought a team with back-to-back nine wins would struggle in the crucial weeks? Mario Cristobal and his squad’s struggles down the stretch had major consequences, losing two of their last three games and missing out on the playoffs. But the defeats are not the only thing that is going to trouble Cristobal as they move ahead. He is going to lose his key player very soon.

The Heisman contender, Cam Ward, has left a lasting impression. The standout quarterback is expected to be a top contender for the New York Giants as they look to make a splash in the first round of April’s NFL Draft. With the Giants boasting a staggering net worth of $7.3 billion, they’re in a prime position to make some big moves. But who is the right fit for him as he has entered the NFL draft? Kaden Smith, co-host of the ‘Frary & Smith Podcast,’ highlights the new quarterback situation at the Hurricanes and reveals 3 transfer QB options for Mario Cristobal.

“Look at the transfer portal quarterback player rankings; you look at the top 30, the top 40; there’s only a couple of guys. About a handful of guys that are uncommitted. You have a guy like Fernando Mendoza out of California who is from Miami, so there is that tie. There, but our predictions aren’t necessarily tracking. With him going to Miami, George is a favorite. They’re Indiana, potentially. Then you go down the list, and it’s a lot of quarterbacks that are kind.”

Well, does that mean Mendoza is going to fill in the big shoes? Hold on! Unfortunately, Cristobal could not have Mendoza in his squad, as the quarterback joined Indiana a few hours ago. But Smith mentioned two more names and added, “You have Air Noland.”

Talking about Air, he still has to develop his skills and improve his game. Another notable name he mentioned is “Devin Brown, who has some experience. You never know there, but there’s a lot of guys who are almost reopening their high school group. And I think at that point, you go with you. With what you have in-house. You try to trust your own development, something you really haven’t.” 

Brown is a player to look up to. He has passed for 1,319 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games during his sophomore season. Now, after losing Mendoza, will Miami run behind Brown? Miami finished the regular season with a solid 10-2 record but fell short of both the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game and a spot in the 12-team playoff field. A big reason behind the success is Cam Ward. Let’s see if he is going to play the final game.

Cam Ward will play for the Hurricanes one last time in the Pop-Tarts Bowl

Cam Ward managed to be in the headlines throughout the season with his impressive game plays. Currently, he is back in the headlines after he announced he would play in the final game. After the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Ward said, “I’m playing in the game.” He added, “It’s exciting to go out in your college career and try to win your last game.”

Ward had a record-setting 2024 that boosted his draft stock into first-round territory. With 4,123 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, he set single-season school records and achieved a completion percentage of 67.4%, ranking 14th in the nation. The head coach wasn’t shocked to hear that he would play the final game and mentioned, “I wasn’t surprised.” Cristobal added, “I mean, we have unfinished business.”

As Miami looks ahead, they face a significant QB dilemma with Ward moving on. The team will need to fill that gap effectively to maintain momentum going into next season. With several quarterbacks potentially entering the transfer portal and others already committed elsewhere, finding a suitable replacement will be crucial for head coach Mario Cristobal. The upcoming offseason will be vital for Miami as they work to develop their remaining talent and possibly tap into new recruits from the portal. But who will replace Ward is the big question now.