Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal to explore his options while also considering whether to enter the NFL Draft, he said Friday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Ward has thrown for 6,963 yards with 61 total touchdowns (48 passing, 13 rushing) and 16 interceptions in two seasons at Washington State and ranks No. 6 nationally in total offense this year.
• The 6-foot-2, 223-pound junior was a two-year starter and FCS All-American at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State in 2022.
• Ward, a graduate transfer, is expected to garner significant interest in the transfer portal as one of the top available quarterbacks on the market.

— Cameron Ward (@Cameron7Ward) December 1, 2023

Where will Ward look to continue his career if he stays in school?

Don’t be surprised if Ward ultimately prefers to go pro at the end of this process. The draft feedback he has received so far puts him in the rounds 2-5 range, according to a source close to the player. But while he seeks clarity on his draft stock, it’s certainly possible that a contender will make him an offer he can’t turn down.

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Washington, Oregon and USC are all seeking transfer quarterbacks to replace their draft-bound stars, and industry sources expect them to make a push for Ward along with several other top Power 5 programs. If good transfer quarterbacks are worth $1-2 million in NIL deals, as Nebraska coach Matt Rhule suggested on Wednesday, then Ward could be one of the passers in this transfer cycle who commands significant offers.

“Cam Ward is the only one who’s worth the money,” one Power 5 general manager told The Athletic this week.

What does this mean for Washington State?

It seems unlikely that returning to Washington State will end up being Ward’s best option. The Cougars also lost their top receiver, Josh Kelly, to the portal earlier this week. The uncertainty around the “Pac-2” and Washington State’s Mountain West-heavy schedule for 2024 has had an impact on their ability to recruit and retain. But it won’t be tough for Jake Dickert and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to attract another transfer QB for their offense if they want to go in that direction. The Cougars have the No. 3 passing offense in FBS this season and a system that sets QBs up to put up big numbers.

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(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)