NASHVILLE – Quandre Diggs remembers Cam Ward as a young boy.
And Diggs, a 10-year NFL veteran safety, couldn't help but chuckle when recalling those days.
"He was bad as heck as a kid," Diggs said with a smile. "A lot of good times, but I used to push him around and stuff like that. He used to come to a lot of my games, and be there to support (me). We are a really close-knit family, so we used to see each other every weekend, or at church or things like that. We grew up in a church household."
Yes, Diggs is cousins with Ward, the Miami quarterback who has been a popular pick of the Titans in mock drafts.
Diggs and Ward both grew up in Texas, and they remain close. Diggs was at Miami's Pro Day, supporting him.
Diggs, 32, said his cousin has asked him a lot about the Titans, where he played in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury.
"All year, it's been the same thing all year," Diggs said. "And I've been vouching for him since I got there, that's what has been cool about it."
Diggs thinks Tennessee would be a great spot for the 22-year-old Ward.
"I told him he would love it," said Diggs, who has also played with the Lions (2015-2019) and Seahawks (2019-2023) in the NFL after playing in college at Texas. "I told him that it's a place that's seeking a good football team, and I think with Cally (Brian Callahan) and (DC) Dennard (Wilson) and all the guys, I think I's going to be a good transition for him."
Diggs, who has spent the offseason training in Austin, Texas, thinks Ward will be special wherever he ends up.
Ward set the NCAA record with 158 touchdown passes in his career at Incarnate Word (two years), Washington State (two years) and Miami (one season).
Ward threw for 4,313 yards and a school-record 39 touchdown passes en route to being named ACC Player of the Year last season with the Hurricanes.
"He's a competitive freak," Diggs said of Ward. "He is one of the guys you would love to go to war with. Everything you can think of in a quarterback, he does that. I am proud to see his growth, and continuing to be the man he is becoming."
"I don't think there's nothing he can't handle, coming from where he's come from, the route he's had to take. It's been totally than other people's route. Everything he has been through, he has put the work in and he's ready to do the work. He's a competitive freak and he just wants to be the best."
