NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement to kick off the draft, which for the first time was held next to historic Lambeau Field.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Cam Ward has gone from zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
The Miami quarterback was chosen by the Tennessee Titans as the first overall pick on Thursday night. It was a decision that came after a thorough evaluation of their options, with the Titans ultimately zeroing in on Ward a few weeks prior to the draft.
The NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, revealed the pick to start the draft ceremony, which took place for the first time adjacent to the iconic Lambeau Field. This marked a significant moment as the NFL’s smallest market played host to one of its most important events, drawing in thousands of fans from all corners of the country to participate in the celebrations in Titletown.
Goodell added a touch of fun to the proceedings by making his entrance on a bicycle onto the draft stage, accompanied by former Green Bay Packers standouts such as Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson, Mason Crosby, Ahman Green, and James Jones. Also joining them was the renowned rap artist and avid Green Bay supporter, Lil Wayne.
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.
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.
