Denzel Ward

Denzel Ward
refer to caption
Ward in 2018 training camp
No. 21 – Cleveland Browns
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1997-04-28) April 28, 1997
Macedonia, Ohio
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight: 183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school: Nordonia (Macedonia, Ohio)
College: Ohio State
NFL Draft: 2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2018
Total tackles: 25
Forced fumbles: 1
Fumble recoveries: 1
Pass deflections: 6
Interceptions: 3
Player stats at NFL.com

Denzel N. Ward (born April 28, 1997) is an American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State.

Early years

Ward attended Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio.[1] He played cornerback and wide receiver. He also ran track.As a senior at the Division 1 region 1 finals, he ran a personal best time of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters, placing 1st. His personal best in the 200 meters is 21.38 seconds, in which he placed third at the state championships. He committed to Ohio State University to play college football.[2]

College career

As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2015, Ward played in 12 games, recording seven tackles.[3][4] As a sophomore in 2016, he played in all 13 games and had 23 tackles. Ward became a starter as a junior in 2017.[5][6] Entering the 2018 NFL Draft, Ward decided not to play in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.[7]

College statistics

Ohio State Buckeyes
YearGPTacklesInterceptions
TotalSoloAstSckSFTYPDefIntYdsAvgLngTDs
2015 117520.000000.000
2016 132312110.009000.000
2017 14373070.0015200.000
Total386747200.0024200.000
Source: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Professional career

External video
Denzel Ward's NFL Combine Workout
Denzel Ward's 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP
5 ft 10 7⁄8 in
(1.80 m)		 183 lb
(83 kg)		 31 1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)		 8 3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		 4.32 s 1.47 s 2.48 s 39 in
(0.99 m)		 11 ft 4 in
(3.45 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Draft[8][9]

The Cleveland Browns selected Ward in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[10] Ward was the highest selected cornerback from Ohio State since Shawn Springs, who was selected third overall in 1997.[11]

External video
Browns draft Denzel Ward 4th overall
NFL Draft Profile: Denzel Ward

On July 24, 2018, Ward signed a four-year rookie contract worth $29.165 million. The deal includes a signing bonus worth $19.291 million. The contract is fully guaranteed for the entire four years, with the team allowed to exercise an option for a fifth year.[12] In his NFL debut, Ward recorded six tackles and two interceptions in the Browns' season-opening 21–21 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Rozboril, Robert (July 19, 2014). "Nordonia WR Denzel Ward is bound for Ohio State, has sights set on higher goals: 31 in 31 football series". Cleveland.com. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  2. ↑ Beaven, Michael (June 19, 2014). "Nordonia's Denzel Ward commits to play football at Ohio State". Ohio.com. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  3. ↑ Lesmerises, Doug (March 31, 2016). "Denzel Ward is Ohio State's fastest player, but is that enough to start for the Buckeyes?". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  4. ↑ Jablonski, David (March 28, 2016). "Ohio State football: Speedy CB Ward ready to emerge". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  5. ↑ Landis, Bill (March 21, 2017). "Is Denzel Ward, now Ohio State's top corner, actually as good as Marshon Lattimore?". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ Lesmerises, Doug (August 19, 2017). "The top 50 Ohio State football players for 2017: No. 10, CB Denzel Ward". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  7. ↑ Lesmerises, Doug (December 29, 2017). "Denzel Ward, Ohio State cornerback and likely first-round pick, sitting out Cotton Bowl". Cleveland.com.
  8. ↑ "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Denzel Ward". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Ohio State CB Denzel Ward : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  10. ↑ Sessler, Marc (April 26, 2018). "Browns choose CB Denzel Ward with No. 4 selection". NFL.com.
  11. ↑ "Ohio State Drafted Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  12. ↑ Cabot, Mary kay (July 25, 2018). "No. 4 pick Denzel Ward signs his Browns rookie contract worth about $29.2 million". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  13. ↑ Glasier, David. "Denzel Ward excels in Browns tie with Steelers". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
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