LeSean McCoy Not Sold On Cam Ward Due to His Lack of High School Stars
Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy isn’t shy when it comes to sharing his football opinions, and his latest target is newly transferred Miami quarterback Cam Ward. On a recent segment of Fox Sports’ Speak, McCoy expressed skepticism over Ward’s future, citing an unlikely reason: Ward’s lack of star ratings out of high school.
Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami after a productive two-year stint at Washington State, was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school in Texas. He began his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, an FCS program, where he lit up defenses and earned a move to the Power Five. Despite impressive numbers — including 3,735 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023 — McCoy remains unconvinced.
“I can’t buy into a quarterback who had zero stars coming out of high school,” McCoy said. “You’re telling me all the scouts, all the coaches, all the camps — they all missed? That doesn’t happen.”
McCoy’s comment sparked immediate backlash online, with many fans and analysts pointing out the flaws in using high school recruiting stars as a definitive measure of future success. Critics cited examples like Josh Allen, who was a two-star recruit, and even Tom Brady, who was barely on the radar before Michigan took a chance on him.
But McCoy doubled down.
“Look, I get it — some guys bloom late,” he said. “But the guys I played with, the ones who really dominated in the league, most of them were dogs from Day 1. They had that pedigree. Ward’s path is unique, but it doesn’t scream superstar to me.”
The comments come at a time when expectations around Ward are building. Miami is in need of a turnaround after several underwhelming seasons, and head coach Mario Cristobal is betting that Ward’s veteran experience and playmaking ability can stabilize the Hurricanes’ offense. Ward has been praised for his mobility, toughness, and leadership — qualities that Miami desperately needs under center.
Former players and analysts quickly jumped to Ward’s defense. ESPN’s Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback, said on his podcast, “I don’t care if a guy has five stars or none — if he can process the field, make throws, and lead his team, that’s what matters. Ward’s already shown he can do that.”
Meanwhile, Ward himself hasn’t directly addressed McCoy’s critique, though he posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter): “Stars don’t define work ethic. Watch me.”
Recruiting stars have long been a point of debate in college football. While they often serve as an early indicator of potential, countless players have outperformed their rankings. Cam Ward’s rise from overlooked recruit to one of the most intriguing QBs in college football is evidence of just that.
Whether Ward proves McCoy wrong or not, the spotlight is now brighter than ever. And come fall, all eyes will be on Coral Gables to see if the former zero-star can lead Miami back to glory — and perhaps change a few minds along the way.
