Former Miami star Cam Ward won the Manning Award on Wednesday as the nation's top quarterback, and he said the accolade can be a springboard to good things at the next level.

Miami's Cam Ward was announced Wednesday as the Manning Award winner as the top college quarterback in the nation last season. Ward is the first Hurricane to win the award, which is presented by the Sugar Bowl. The award, which recognizes the college achievements set by Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, has been around for 21 years, starting in 2004.

Cam Ward's college football career got one more accolade Wednesday, when he was announced as the winner of the Manning Award.