As Shedeur Sanders warmed up for his final game with Colorado at the Alamodome, throwing passes to his receivers less than an hour before kickoff, the Jumbotron above displayed a close contest between No. 13 Miami and No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
The two bowl games—No. 23 Colorado's Alamo Bowl against No. 17 BYU and the Miami-Iowa State showdown—featured two of the top-rated quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Surprisingly, both Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward chose to play, despite the growing trend of top prospects skipping non-College Football Playoff games. According to The Athletic's Dane Brugler, only five of the top 16 draft prospects from teams in non-Playoff bowls participated.
In Colorado's game, Sanders and Travis Hunter struggled, leading to a 36-14 blowout loss against BYU. Meanwhile, Ward dazzled in the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, torching Iowa State’s elite pass defense with 190 yards and three touchdowns despite missing three starting receivers. However, Ward sat out the second half, sparking outrage on social media as Miami lost a heartbreaker, 42-41, after a second-half collapse led by backup quarterback Emory Williams.
Ward’s decision to sit after halftime wasn’t a shock to those within the Miami program. Sources revealed that Ward agreed to start but had no set timeline for how long he would play. His decision to participate in the game influenced 10 other Miami players to stay, preventing a mass opt-out.
Despite the uproar, Ward’s leadership and competitiveness remain highly regarded by Miami staff. Initially expected to play only the first quarter, Ward extended his time on the field after a slow start for Miami’s offense. His performance capped an incredible season where he finished fourth in Heisman voting and elevated Miami to a 10-3 record—the program’s best in two decades.
The backlash around Ward’s absence in the second half highlights broader changes in college football. Top players, like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Marvin Harrison Jr., often skip bowl games to prioritize their NFL futures. Additionally, the new 12-team Playoff format has reduced the significance of other bowl games, with some leaning into their entertainment value—like the Pop-Tarts Bowl with its edible mascot.
For Miami, Ward’s impact on the program has been undeniable. Once a zero-star recruit from FCS Incarnate Word, Ward transformed into a top-10 NFL Draft prospect, thanks to his success in Miami’s system. Both Ward and the Hurricanes benefitted immensely, and while his early exit sparked debate, it was a calculated decision in an era where business often outweighs tradition.
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