Cam Ward sets record straight on Xavier Restrepo's 40-yard dash time -"One of the best route runners in this draft"

Modified Apr 27, 2025 16:05 GMT

Duke v Miami - Source: Getty — Wide receiver Cam Ward endorsed Xavier Restrepo ahead of him signing with the Titans. - Source: Getty

Cam Ward will start his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans alongside Xavier Restrepo, his former Miami Hurricanes teammate. The Titans drafted Ward with the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday. On Saturday, the Titans signed Restrepo as an undrafted free agent.

On Thursday night, reporters asked Ward if there was a specific wide receiver he wanted Tennessee to acquire. Ward quickly named Restrepo and vouched for his former teammate, insisting his 40-yard dash time didn't show his true potential.

“Don’t let that 40 fool you, he's one of the best route runners in this draft,” Ward told reporters.

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Restrepo ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash at his Miami pro day. The wide receiver blamed the slow time on his right hamstring tightening up before he embarked on the dash.

Ward also reportedly advocated for the Titans organization to acquire Restrepo.

Restrepo will now have the next few months to prove to the Tennessee Titans that he is capable of being a wide receiver in the NFL.

Xavier Restrepo had three-word reaction to reunion with Cam Ward

Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo didn't hear his name called through the three days of the 2025 NFL draft. Shortly after the conclusion of the draft, Restrepo signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with Cam Ward.

The NFL's X account shared a video of the moment the wide receiver got the phone call he had longed for. Restrepo had a heartfelt response to the video.

"God. Never. Fails," Restrepo wrote on X.

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Restrepo and Ward played 12 games together in 2024 for the Miami Hurricanes. The wide receiver had 69 receptions for 1,127 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

About the author

Bethany Cohen is an NFL writer at Sportskeeda, with a rich prior 15-year experience in the sports writing industry, primarily covering the MLB and MiLB. She majored in Communications from the University of South Florida and has previously worked for top companies such as Examiner.com and Legends on Deck.

Bethany owes her NFL allegiance to the Pittsburgh Steelers owing to their long-standing tradition and competitiveness. She is a fan of old stalwarts such as Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris and would love to watch them in the 1970s if she manages to get her hand on a time machine. She also acknowledges the greatness of modern icons like T.J. Watt for his desire to continuously improve despite being on top. She admires coaches Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid for their longevity and success.

The ace reporter credits her knowledge and love for the sport to be her biggest reporting strengths. Prior fact-checking is a big component of her process and she always scours through additional sources to ensure complete accuracy in her content.

Super Bowl XLIII, when the Steelers won the the grand prize after Santonio Holmes’ epic catch in the end zone with just seconds left on the clock is etched in Bethany’s memory forever. When she is free of her professional commitments, she likes to attend sports events and music concerts.

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Edited by Ribin Peter