Evaluator feedback on Ward and where he has taken another leap. And UM notes

A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on Tuesday:

▪ When UM quarterback Cam Ward solicited evaluator feedback after the 2022 season, his first of two seasons at Washington State, he was told he needed to improve on his deep passes.

There was clear improvement last season, when Ward had a 112.3 NFL passer rating on such throws.

And there has been even more improvement this season.

Through three games, Ward has completed 66.7 percent of passes thrown at least 20 air yards, which is exceptional. He’s 12 of 18 on such throws for 345 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. That equates to a 149.3 NFL passer rating – not far below a perfect 158.3 rating.

Among FBS quarterbacks with at least 10 such throws, only Akron’s Ben Finley (7 for 10, 219 yards) has a high completion percentage.

Ward’s accuracy on deep throws (at least 20 air yards) has taken another jump from last season, when he completed 23 of 57 for 725 yards, 10 TDs and two interceptions.

Ward has risen to the second overall pick in the latest CBS mock draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper recently spoke of Ward potentially moving into the first round but needs to see more.

▪ ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said of Ward: “Can throw like a shortstop when he needs to. Capable of throwing from any arm angle. He’s yet to play a high quality opponent, but Ward has been in full control for three games… His poise and accuracy have been among the best in the country.

“The biggest difference for Ward this season has been his patience. He tried to do too much at Washington State last season, resulting in too many chaotic plays. Ward is playing under control and being more selective with his deep shots down the field.”

▪ Here’s where Ward ranks in other areas (besides deep throw accuracy) through three games:

He’s first in ESPN’s QBR metric for all FBS quarterbacks.

He’s first in touchdown passes with 11, compared with one interception.

He’s second in passing yards at 1035, behind only Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart.

Pro Football Focus rates him the best among quarterbacks with at least 20 dropbacks this season.

Since the Hurricanes joined the ACC in 2004, Ward is the first ACC player with at least 300 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in each of his first three games of a season. Ward is also the first Miami quarterback to begin a season with three consecutive 300-yard passing games.

Fanduel lists Ward (plus 450) as the clear front-runner to win the Heisman, ahead of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Mississippi’s Dart (who are both plus 600).

▪ Why did UM starting running back Damien Martinez get only three carries (for three yards) against Ball State?

“It just so happened that game – position coaches, and we talk about it leading up to games, there’s going to be a pattern,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “We are trying to get people involved that have proven they need to be involved.

“When it’s back around to Damien’s turn, if the game is out of hand, we’re going to go with younger guys. It had nothing to do with what he did or didn’t do. We have a very talented room, don’t want to disrupt one player’s ability to get going. There’s a flow to it.”

Ajay Allen, who had seven carries for 104 yards against Ball State, “is very hard to tackle,” Dawson said. “When he gets in the open field he can go. He can turn it on.”

▪ Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said Malik Bryant has made a smooth transition to a new position: “He’s been getting better and better, has found his home at the JACK.”

And Guidry said of second-year linebacker Raul Aguirre: “He’s of young guys the one that has gotten the most out of camp, has gotten better, made a lot of strides. He’s going to be a really good football player.”

▪ Mario Cristobal said Markel Bell, who filled in for Jalen Rivers at left tackle against Ball State, is “playing better and better. He had a hands to the face even though he had hands jammed up to his face, quid pro quo. Balance, power, length. He has a super future, is going to play for a long time.”

Rivers will play Saturday at USF, Cristobal said.

Cristobal said Matthew McCoy, who’s starting at left guard with Ryan Rodriguez injured, “is playing great football. He has become a tough dude. We expect him to be one of the better players on the football team.”

▪ Quick stuff: UM ranks first in the country in plays of 20 yards or more, with 32. Of those, 26 are passing plays... The Canes are holding opponents to 14 percent conversion rate on third downs, which is sixth best in the country... ESPN assigned Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick to Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at USF.