Dang, it feels good to have football back!

College football kicked off in a big way, and I don’t know about you, but week one was a blast to watch.

So many storylines, great quarterback play, and, of course, that lingering sense of mystery about how these seasons will shake out for some of the top teams.

We saw teams assert themselves, others struggle to find their rhythm, and a lot of quarterbacks stepping into the spotlight.

We’re zooming in on 3 QB highlights this week:

• Davis Warren leading Michigan

• Cam Rising’s Return

• Cam Ward living up to the hype

Davis Warren: From Overcoming Leukemia to Leading the Wolverines

Davis Warren's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and grit.

I got to know Davis back when he was in high school, battling leukemia.

Imagine being a teenager, having your senior year of football ripped away from you by a diagnosis like that. It would’ve been easy for Davis to pack it in, focus on his health, and leave football behind. But that’s not who he is.

After beating cancer, he went to a prep school back East to make up for the time he lost on the field.

It was around this time that I reached out to Jim Harbaugh, the head coach at Michigan.

I told him, “I’ve got a great walk-on for you.” And I wasn’t exaggerating.

Harbaugh watched Davis throw, saw his potential, and brought him to Ann Arbor.

Now, this wasn’t some easy ride to success. Davis spent time watching Cade McNamara lead Michigan to a 12-win season, then backed up J.J. McCarthy, one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

But Davis was patient, focused, and kept working.

Off-Season Work

This offseason, Davis battled with Alex Orji for the starting job.

And let me tell you, that’s not an easy battle.

Orji is a dynamic, physical player, but Davis won the job because of his ability to run the offense, stay calm under pressure, and deliver when it counts.

Michigan isn’t just another college football program. It’s one of the most historic and passionate fan bases in the country.

Playing quarterback there means you’re under a microscope. Every throw, every decision is scrutinized.

And the pressure? It’s huge.

I know a lot of quarterbacks who would crumble in that kind of environment, but Davis? He handled it like a pro.

Week 1

In week one, Michigan came out strong, and Davis was at the helm.

It wasn’t perfect—few first games are—but the key is that Davis settled in.

He looked comfortable running the offense, made smart decisions, and showed leadership.

For any quarterback, getting that first win under your belt is huge, but for Davis, it’s even bigger given the journey he’s been on.

Now, as we look ahead, Davis has a tough test coming up: Texas. This is where things get real.

That’s a defense that will challenge him, and the pressure will only mount from here.

But based on what I’ve seen from Davis over the years, don’t be surprised if he steps up in a big way.

Momentum Is Building

What I love about Davis is that he’s got the momentum.

There’s something special about quarterbacks who face adversity early in their careers—whether it’s a tough personal battle, like what Davis went through with leukemia, or a competitive battle for the starting job.

That kind of experience builds resilience, and resilience is the cornerstone of great quarterback play.

Davis is walking into week two with confidence, knowing he’s earned the right to lead one of the top programs in the country.

And that momentum? It’s only going to grow.

Michigan has high expectations this year, and with Davis under center, they’ve got a guy who knows how to handle tough situations.

Football is all about storylines, and Davis Warren’s journey is one of the best you’ll hear this season.

From overcoming leukemia to stepping into the starting role at Michigan, Davis has already shown what kind of leader he is.

But we’re just getting started. As Michigan gears up for their tough second opponent, I’ll be watching closely to see how Davis handles the challenge, and I suggest you do the same.

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Cam Rising’s Return: A Comeback Story for the Ages

Another storyline that really stood out to me was Cam Rising’s return to the field.

This guy’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. We’re talking about a quarterback who went from leading Utah to an incredible season, only to have it cut short in the Rose Bowl by an ACL injury.

He missed all of last season, going through surgery, rehab, another scope, and more rehab just to get back on the field.

That’s a long grind, both mentally and physically, and for him to step back in and play the way he did—well, that’s something special.

The Road To Recovery

Let’s start with the road to recovery. A torn ACL is no joke for any athlete, but for a quarterback? It’s a massive challenge.

You’ve got to rebuild not just your knee, but your entire game. The surgery, the rehab, the strength training—it all takes time.

And for Cam, it wasn’t just a straightforward process. He had to get another scope done along the way, which set him back even further.

When you’re a quarterback, your legs aren’t just for running—they’re the foundation for everything you do.

Your power, your accuracy, your ability to extend plays—it all starts from the ground up.

So for Cam to get back to full speed, to regain his mobility and his confidence, that’s a testament to the kind of grit and determination this guy has.

A Few Changes

The last time Cam played, Dalton Kincaid was his go-to guy. Kincaid was a massive part of Utah’s offense, and now he’s heading into his second year in the NFL.

So when Cam stepped back into the huddle, he wasn’t just coming back to familiar faces—he had to build chemistry with a whole new group of players.

That’s no small feat. As a quarterback, you rely on trust and timing with your receivers, and that can take time to develop, especially after a long layoff.

But watching Cam in week one, you wouldn’t know he was playing with a bunch of new guys.

He looked comfortable, confident, and in command of the offense.

Yes, it was a lesser opponent, but good football is good football, and Cam played at a high level.

One of the things I love about Cam Rising’s game is his ability to make plays with his legs.

He’s not just a pocket passer—he can extend plays, make people miss, and pick up yards on the ground.

Coming off an ACL injury, that’s often the biggest question mark: Can a guy still move the way he used to? Will he trust his knee enough to make those same plays?

Answering The Call

Well, Cam answered those questions in week one. He wasn’t just standing in the pocket—he was running at full speed, making defenders miss, and taking hits.

That’s a huge mental hurdle to clear for any quarterback coming off a major injury. And then, of course, there were the throws.

Cam hit some beautiful shots down the field, showing off both his arm strength and his accuracy.

Four touchdown passes in his return? That’s how you make a statement.

Now, we’re only one week into the season, and there’s a long way to go. But if week one was any indication, Cam Rising is back—and he’s better than ever.

Utah is in a great position to make a run this year, and with Cam under center, they’ve got a leader who’s been through the fire and looks like he’s come out stronger on the other side.

Football is all about overcoming adversity, and Cam’s story is one of perseverance and resilience.

He’s had to work for everything he’s got, and he’s proven time and time again that he’s up for the challenge.

This season, he’s not just playing for Utah—he’s playing for every athlete who’s had to battle back from injury and reclaim their spot on the field.

Cam Ward: Living Up to the Hype

Week one of college football brought a lot of quarterback storylines, but few were as intriguing as Cam Ward’s journey to the field.

Let’s rewind to the offseason.

Cam Ward was at the center of a lot of speculation—there were moments when it looked like he was headed for the NFL Draft.

At one point, the buzz was all about Ward possibly transferring to Ohio State, one of the biggest programs in the country.

He had his options laid out in front of him, and everyone was wondering: where is Cam Ward going to go?

Then, in a move that surprised some, Cam decided to take his talents to Miami.

Now, this wasn’t just any offseason decision—it was a big deal.

When you’ve got that many people talking about your next step, it puts a lot of pressure on you to deliver.

Ward knew all eyes were on him, and if you’re going to create that kind of storyline, you’ve got to back it up.

A New Set Of Tools

Being in the spotlight can either make or break a player. And when you’ve got the kind of talent that Cam Ward has, the expectations are sky-high.

Coming into this season, there were questions about whether he’d be able to live up to the hype.

Would Miami be the right fit for him? Could he thrive in that system? Could he handle the pressure of being the guy everyone was talking about?

For Ward, that pressure seemed to fuel him. He didn’t just step into a program with high expectations—he stepped into a program with a lot of eyes on him.

People were watching to see if he’d make good on all the offseason buzz, and in week one, he answered those questions in a big way.

The First Test

Ward’s first test came against in-state rival Florida, and let me tell you, he didn’t just pass the test—he put an exclamation point on it.

It’s one thing to win your first game; it’s another to dominate the way Ward did.

A couple of hundred passing yards, multiple touchdowns, some highlight reel plays, and big runs—that’s how you make your mark.

What stood out to me the most was Ward’s poise under pressure. He didn’t play like a guy weighed down by expectations.

He played loose, confident, and with a sense of purpose. He made the right reads, took care of the football, and showed why he was such a big part of the offseason conversation.

Ward’s ability to extend plays with his legs, combined with his accuracy downfield, gave Miami’s offense a different edge.

He looked like the complete package, and that’s not something you say lightly about a guy coming off the kind of offseason he had.

One game doesn’t define a season, but it can certainly set the tone.

And for Cam Ward, week one was the perfect way to introduce himself to the Miami faithful and the college football world.

The noise around Ward is only going to get louder as we move forward, and for good reason.

When you combine his physical tools with his football IQ, it’s easy to see why he’s already being mentioned in conversations about two of the biggest individual and team accolades: the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Playoff.

The Beginning Of A Long Story

Is it too early to start talking about Ward as a Heisman contender? Maybe.

But if he keeps stacking performances like the one he had in week one, it won’t be long before his name is on everyone’s Heisman watchlist.

As for the College Football Playoff, Miami’s success will be tied directly to Ward’s performance.

If he continues to elevate his game and the team follows suit, we could be talking about Miami making a serious run at the Playoff.

The story of Cam Ward is just beginning this season, but he’s already shown that he was worth all the offseason buzz.

He took a risk by going to Miami, a place where the pressure to win is high, but so far, he’s answered every question and silenced the doubters.

As the season unfolds, keep your eyes on Cam Ward.

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