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Emotional Scene Unfolds As 26-Year-Old Tight End Ends His Nine-Year College Football Career At Miami

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Cam McCormick Nine Year Senior 26 Years Old Miami Football
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Cam McCormick began his nine-year college football career at Oregon in 2016. The 26-year-old tight end played the final game of his career for Miami on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

It was an emotional scene as McCormick’s resilient journey came to an end with a heartbreaking loss.

The longest career in college football history began with a commitment to the Ducks in February of 2015. He later signed with the program in December of 2016 and chose to enroll early.

Upon his arrival to campus in January of 2016, President Barack Obama still had nine months left in the White House! It has been that long. We have since had three different elections.

Cam McCormick’s career was not easy.

McCormick utilized a redshirt during his freshman season and played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2017. There was a lot of buzz about his potential at the position. He was going to be the guy.

Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of his third year. McCormick caught a pass from Justin Herbert (currently in his fifth year with the Chargers) and was tackled for a two-yard loss.

He broke his fibula and tore the deltoid ligament in his ankle, which ended his season.

McCormick was back on the field in 2019 after spending the offseason recovering. He participated in spring practice and played the spring game but, by the time fall camp rolled around, there was discomfort in his ankle. That discomfort ultimately led to another surgery to replace a screw from the initial surgery and ended his season early for a second year in a row.

McCormick thought that a return was near in the summer of 2020. Instead, two screws that were holding his ankle together caused a ligament to rupture. That, once again, ended his year before it began.

When the 2021 season rolled around, Cam McCormick was finally ready.

He played in each of Oregon’s first two games, including a massive road win at Ohio State. McCormick made a crucial first down catch in the victory, but it cost him the rest of his sixth season. A funky tackle resulted in another significant leg injury.

Cam McCormick returned in 2022.

Despite all of the obstacles he had to overcome, the seventh-year senior worked hard to get back on the field. His teammate tragically passed away during the offseason and McCormick wanted to keep playing in his honor because Spencer Webb had that opportunity taken away from him.

McCormick scored three touchdowns in 2022, which is pretty remarkable for someone who was told that he may never be able to walk normally again. The comeback was greater than the setback.

McCormick decided to enter the transfer portal after seven years (and two degrees) at Oregon. Miami gave him an opportunity for year eight. He didn’t think year nine was going to happen at the time.

I couldn’t imagine doing nine. I’m not totally keen on what my decision is going to be yet. I’m going to continue to enjoy this game with my teammates and make the decision after the game. I If anything, I applied for it just to have it after Ohio State last year. I tore my Achilles and thankfully was able to get it. The option’s there, I do have it. Whether I use it, it’s in the air.

— Cam McCormick

However, after making eight catches for the Hurricanes in 2023, McCormick ran it back in 2024. The 26-year-old senior scored three touchdowns during his ninth year of college football!

Cam McCormick played his final game on Saturday. It was an emotional scene in Orlando after the clock hit zero on his career.

Head coach Mario Cristobal believes McCormick is “going to play in the NFL for a good while.” However, the poster child for resilience and leadership has yet to announce his future plans. He would be a 27-year-old rookie if he does decided to pursue a career in professional football.