Ward is a 6-6, 230, Freshman defensive lineman from Colony HS, Ontario, CA. Last year he had 65 tackles (22 for loss), 14 sacks, 3 pass break-ups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Here is the analysis from Brandon Combs AZDS:
Ward is a fantastic addition for Jedd Fisch and company, especially this late in the cycle.
Ward’s obvious size is the first thing that stands out. He is a large human being who plays extremely physical. He is a hard hitter, and not just against the ball carrier. He attacks his blocker with violence and power, knocking his opponent off rhythm.
When he isn’t taking blockers head on, he is able to utilize his impressive explosiveness and speed to get around them. There are times Ward is able to get into the backfield in a hurry, hitting the ball carrier, or quarterback, with a lot of force.
Ward has more athleticism than one would think for a player his size. He is able to not only play on the edge of the line, but he can also play outside linebacker. It’s kind of surprising that he was so under the radar for as long as he was, especially with his size and play. To understand the type of player he is, Arizona beat out Utah for his commitment.
