The China Mail - Titans eye QB Ward with top pick in NFL Draft

The annual allocation of NFL rights for top college talent will be conducted at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home venue of the Green Bay Packers.

The Titans grabbed the top overall selection in the draft ahead of Cleveland at second and the New York Giants picking third after all three finished an NFL-worst 3-14 last season.

Ward, a 22-year-old from Texas, completed 305 of 454 passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns with only seven interceptions and ran 60 times for 204 yards and four touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season.

Miami finished 10-3, missing the US college football playoffs, but Ward is seen as the top prospect available by most analysts.

The Titans, who missed the playoffs the past three seasons, have met with Ward several times in the run-up to the draft, including sessions with coach Brian Callahan about how Ward might fit into Tennessee's offensive system.

"I got a chance to learn more about (the Titans) personally over the last couple of months and I'm excited to hopefully hear my name called first, to go to a good organization like that," Ward said on Wednesday.

"They have a pretty elite team, in my opinion. They don't get enough credit on paper for what they really are. So, if I am there, I know it will turn out good."

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said the team has rejected trade offers and has decided upon a player, but didn't reveal whose name would be called first on Thursday.

"I think I'd fit in good," Ward said regarding the Titans. "Coach Callahan's offense... a lot of it translates to what I did at Miami this past year. I think if I ended up there it would be plug-and-play, just have to learn some new terminology, some new protections. But I think we'd be good."

Ward praised the Titans' revamped blockers and wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Van Jefferson.

"I think the quarterback there is going to be surrounded by some good weapons," Ward said. "And I just hope I'm that guy."

After the Browns and Giants, the New England Patriots pick fourth followed in order by Jacksonville, Las Vegas, the New York Jets, Carolina, New Orleans and Chicago.

University of Colorado Buffaloes cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter, winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy as the nation's top college player, offers a two-way threat that figures to make him among the early selections.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of Buffaloes coach and former NFL star Deion Sanders, is also in the draft but draws a wide range of possible selection spots from draft analysts.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty had 2,601 rushing yards in 2024, the second-best one-season total in US college history after former NFL star Barry Sanders.

H.Ng--ThChM