While Tennessee has Will Levis, who started 12 games last season, it would be anything but surprising if Ward is the starter in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. It's not as if Levis was excellent while going 2-10 with 13 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions in those 12 starts, and the Miami product brings a much higher ceiling.

Ward only stayed in the 2024 draft cycle for 13 days before pulling out to transfer to Miami, a decision that led to the Hurricanes' first 10-win season since 2017 and launched Ward from fringe Day 2 prospect to the first player off the board Thursday night.