Three Pack of Hurricanes- 2025 NFL Draft

The 2024 college football season is coming to an end, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of Miami players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

QB Cameron Ward, Miami, Fla

• 6-foot-2 223 lbs
• 2024 stats: 4,123 yards passing 36 touchdowns 7 interceptions

What to like about Cameron Ward

What is obvious from film study is how live Ward’s arm is when he wants it to be. He has above average arm strength while possessing enough touch and accuracy to make impressive throws. When he needs to, he can speed up his throws to fit into extremely tight windows, and generally can place the ball where it needs to be for his receiver to have a chance to get it. 

Ward is fearless in the pocket and is more than willing to stand in and absorb a hit when necessary. But he can also create outside of the pocket as well. While not necessarily a rushing QB, Ward is athletic enough to be a threat in the run game and can extend plays by getting outside the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. 

Ward thrives in the red zone and during his 2022 season, he had a 19-0 TD to INT ratio, and has already started 4-0 in that department this season.

Reason for concern

Where Ward needs to improve is how he deals with pressure. While Ward rarely panics and rarely scrambles out of clean pockets, his fearlessness can work to his disadvantage, often leading to him taking way too many hits and sacks. Not only did Ward take an astounding 46 sacks last season (2nd in FBS), but his passing stats also suffered as well. In 213 drop-backs where he faced pressure, Ward had an abysmal 4.1 yards per attempt and a 43.7% completion percentage per PFF.

Ward switches back and forth between overly targeting the deep areas of the field, where he struggled immensely in 2022, to passing up deep shots to force checkdowns. Ward is great at moving through his progressions, so it is odd to see him make these mistakes. One potential reason for a lot of these issues may be his inconsistent footwork. He wastes movement in his drops and loves to hitch and hop around the pocket at times. This makes him late on his reads, thus missing open targets on occasion.

Draft Projection

First- round (Top-5)

Wide Receiver Xavier Restrepo, Miami Fla.

• 5-foot-10 196 lbs
• 2024 stats: 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns

What to like about Xavier Restrepo

Restrepo has a sudden burst off the line of scrimmage and is a handful to cover on quick slants. His footwork is exceptional when battling one-on-one and his agility and lateral movement create space for him. Restrepo is an excellent route runner that can stop on a dime and has plenty of "stop and go" moves to keep defensive backs guessing. His has strong hands and does a good job of catching the ball out in front of his body. When finding the ball, Restepo possesses a high level of body control, making hard catches look easy. He's a strong runner with the vision and cutting ability to pick up extra yards.

Reason for concern

Restrepo is on the smaller side and projects as only a slot receiver at the next level. Although he has an explosive first step, he does not have the elite speed of other slot receivers coming out in this class. He will have his struggles getting off the line against bigger and more physical defensive backs that like to bump and run in press coverage. Although he is a willing blocker, he has issues sustaining blocks in the run game and may project as a third or fourth receiver that plays in passing downs only.

Draft Projection

Third or fourth round pick

Defensive Tackle Simeon Barrow Jr., Miami Fla.

• 6-foot-3 290 lbs
• 2024 stats: 28 tackles 8-tackles for a loss 5.5 sacks

What to like about Simeon Barrow Jr.

Simeon Barrow plays the game with a high motor and should never be considered out of a play. The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle has violent hands and is capable of shedding blocks seamlessly, especially if he lands his punch at the chest of an offensive lineman. Barrow is very effective at anchoring down and keeping his gaps filled, making him a dependable run stopper who reads misdirections and cut backs well. He explodes off the snap and keeps his base low, which helps him to gain leverage over his opponents.

Reason for concern

Although Barrow has strong hands, his overall power is average at best and he has trouble bull rushing through interior lineman. Overall, He needs to add some moves to his pass rushing repertoire as he will not be able to beat NFL offensive lineman on pure power. Barrow needs to play with a better center of gravity, especially when battling against double teams. Too many times during a game he ends up on the ground. 

Draft Projection

Fifth Round pick