"No one wanted him." How Ward let outsiders' doubt fuel his rise from a no-star recruit to becoming the future face of an NFL franchise.

Ward only stayed in the 2024 draft cycle for 13 days before pulling out to transfer to Miami, a decision that led to the Hurricanes' first 10-win season since 2017 and launched Ward from fringe Day 2 prospect to the first player off the board Thursday night.

"He interacted with everyone in our building," Titans head coach Brian Callahan said of Ward's visit to the team before the 2025 NFL draft. "There wasn't a person in the building