Cam Ward is already learning the hard way that what worked so well for him in college isn’t going to be easy, or even possible, in the NFL. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is indeed learning, however, and that is a promising sign for the Tennessee Titans and their rookie starter.
Ward is quickly picking up on the difference in the speed of the pro game. As ESPN’s Turron Davenport notes, the differing widths between the hashmarks from college to the NFL are also presenting a learning curve for Ward.
Ward said one of his biggest transitions has been getting used to the more condensed spacing from the different dimensions for the hash marks. At the NFL level, they’re 70 feet and 9 inches from the sidelines, compared to just 60 feet from the boundary in the college game.
The narrower hashmarks in the NFL mean that plays are more often spotted near the center of the field. The wider hash marks in college allow for more varied offensive formations and can make it easier to spread out the defense.
It’s a facet of playing quarterback that doesn’t often get talked about, having to learn how the NFL game is played much more from the middle of the field than with a wider boundary side to work with. Specifically, the linebackers and safeties aren’t as spread out formationally in the NFL, which makes it harder to work the middle of the field.
Davenport’s excellent piece spotlights how the Titans and head coach Brian Callahan are teaching Ward and helping him adapt to be ready for Week 1. Ward is the presumptive starter for the Titans, though Will Levis remains on the Tennessee roster after starting most of the last two seasons.