Pro Football Focus Statistics Show Two Prime Reasons Miami's Passing Game Will Improve

Good signs for the Hurricanes

There are many ways to grade Miami's quarterback play, and Pro Football Focus has two intriguing statistics that are being discussed below.

The Hurricanes are bringing in one of the most coveted Transfer Portal recruits in the country with Cam Ward. For Canes fans, there's been much excitement about his arrival and first two practices, especially the bomb from Ward to Xavier Restropo for a touchdown.

Examining Ward and former UM quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, Pro Football Focus helps to prove why with the following two categories.

First, while Van Dyke had his moments as a UM quarterback, being too careless with the football became the norm. From PFF, he connected on 64.4% of his non-play action passes. That's the good news. He had a horrific 14 to 11 touchdown-to-interception ratio, however, within that same category.

Mental errors would be the reason for Van Dyke's struggles, like throwing late down the middle. That is a cardinal sin for a quarterback. Now, here are Ward's numbers from the same scenario.

Per PFF, a 64.6% completion rate which is similar to Van Dyke. More importantly, a tremendous 20 to 5 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio. Point blank, Ward does not take as many risks. 

As Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said after Wednesday's practice (video above the article), turnovers were a huge problem in 2023.

"Turnovers were Glaring. Not only were they glaring, they were glaring when they happened."

The other statistic to consider is another doozy. Passing depth is a category PFF commonly brings up and so do many television analysts. In short, how well does a signal-caller throw the football down the field? 

For Van Dyke, he hit 47.6% of his passing attempts over 20 yards. That's certainly a quality number. Now, the bad side of his deep passes. Again, it's turnovers, with 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

Ward, meanwhile, hit only 40.2% of his deeper throws. The 10 to 2 touchdown-to-interception ratio is where the results show a clear differential between Ward and Van Dyke.

Overall, Ward does make big plays but also does so without throwing the football to the other team. Miami's passing game is going to improve, especially with players like Restrepo making acrobatic catches in the end zone.