2025 NFL draft: Top QB prospects quit at halftime, team loses bowl game

We’ve heard of college football players opting out of bowl games to avoid injury and prepare for the NFL draft, but this is the first time we’ve seen a player quit at halftime. This is the situation the University of Miami found itself in when starting quarterback Cam Ward sat out the second half of their Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State.

The Cyclones ended up beating the Hurricanes 42-41.

We assume the decision to sit out the second half was not Ward’s. I’m sure someone got into his ear and told him it was in his best interest not to play the second half and not risk an injury until the 2025 NFL draft. Either way, this is something Ward will have to answer with every NFL team he meets with between now and the draft

The situation is only made more complicated now by the University of Miami’s refusal to allow the media to speak with Ward. This only casts an even bigger shadow on the whole event.

Another reason this decision could be one he comes back to regret is that there is no clear-cut No. 1 quarterback. 1 in this draft, and Ward needs to do everything he can to push Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to become the top quarterback off the board.

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This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Top QB prospects quit at halftime, team loses bowl game