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Video: Cam Ward Gifts Miami OL Custom Diamond Chains; QB Has $2.1M NIL Valuation

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVNovember 14, 2024

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback Cam Ward #1 during the Saturday afternoon college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 9, 2024 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, GA.  (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Miami quarterback Cam Ward knows that life in the pocket can be much easier when your blockers are happy.

Ward recently gifted diamond chains and pendants to Hurricanes offensive linemen:

Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) @shannonsharpeee

Cam Ward blessed his offensive lineman with diamond pendants &amp; chains 💎⛓️ <a href="https://t.co/Kpf53RGDjH">pic.twitter.com/Kpf53RGDjH</a>

On3 NIL @On3NIL

Miami quarterback Cam Ward gifted his entire offensive line personalized chains tonight💎<br><br>He has a $2.1 million On3 NIL Valuation. <a href="https://t.co/8iQM9yxiIt">https://t.co/8iQM9yxiIt</a> <a href="https://t.co/U490VXlPAe">pic.twitter.com/U490VXlPAe</a>

A quarterback buying extravagant gifts for their linemen is nothing new. For obvious reasons, the tradition has typically been limited to the NFL. Now that college stars are earning six- or even seven-figure paydays, more O-linemen are getting to benefit.

While the full extent of his off-field earnings is unclear, Ward has the eighth-highest NIL valuation ($2.1) among all college and high school athletes at On3. Adidas, EA Sports and Bose are among his endorsements.

The senior signal-caller certainly has a lot to be thankful for. He's the FBS leader in passing yards (3,494) and touchdown passes (32), and he remains an outside threat to win the Heisman Trophy.

Ward has also put himself in the conversation to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. In Bleacher Report's most recent mock, he was projected to go fifth overall to the Cleveland Browns.

Beyond what he's doing on the field, Ward's act of generosity toward his linemen is the kind of thing NFL talent evaluators will probably notice too.