Miami made a significant move by acquiring Cam Ward, a former standout from Washington State. Ward’s impressive 3,735 passing yards last season surpassed those of any ACC quarterback, including the highly regarded NFL-bound Drake Maye. This places Ward in a league of his own at Miami, prompting speculation about his ranking among other conference quarterbacks.
Despite the solid performance expected from FSU’s DJ Uiagalelei, Ward outperformed him head-to-head and throughout the previous season in the PAC 12. Miami’s quarterback roster now appears much stronger than in recent years.
Reese Poffenbarger, who demonstrated dynamism during his tenure at Albany, recorded 36 touchdowns to 13 interceptions with 3,614 passing yards in 2023. His aggressive downfield approach and mobility draw comparisons to a young Baker Mayfield. Poffenbarger’s two years of starting experience at the FCS level may give him an edge in the competition.
Challenging Poffenbarger is Jacurri Brown, a sizable athlete standing at 6-4 and over 220 lbs. Brown’s progress as a passer, coupled with his running ability, positions him as a formidable contender for the QB1 spot in 2025 after serving as a backup for Tyler Van Dyke and now Ward.
While Emory Williams may likely redshirt this season due to injury recovery, his commendable performance against tough defenses as a true freshman suggests potential for future contributions. Despite uncertainty surrounding his availability for spring football, Williams could emerge as a backup if he impresses in pre-season practices.
True freshman Judd Anderson is not expected to see game time in 2024, providing him with an opportunity to develop under the mentorship of Ward, Poffenbarger, Brown, and Williams. With Ward likely to start, the prediction for backup is less clear, though Poffenbarger’s in-game experience gives him a slight advantage.
Observing the progress of Reese and Jacurri in the upcoming spring practices is anticipated, with a revisit to these predictions slated after the spring game on April 13th.
Miami’s first spring football practice is scheduled for Monday, March 4th.
