The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
Last February, a little known cornerback from Northeast Ohio went to the Best of the Midwest combine in Indianapolis and dazzled everyone there with a blazing 4.31-40 yard dash, lighting up the track with world-class speed. A week later, that cornerback - Denzel Ward - had his first scholarship offer, from the Cincinnati Bearcats, and his recruitment was officially on.
A lifelong Buckeye fan, Ward knew he wanted to earn an Ohio State offer and a visit to the school in March helped get him on the right track. The Buckeyes were upfront with Ward and told him exactly what he needed to go out and do in order to realize his dream. Over the next few months, Ward worked tirelessly in the classroom and on the football field and in June, returned to Ohio State for a one-day camp with the Buckeyes to earn his offer.
In front of Ohio State's coaches, Ward showcases his dynamic speed and game-changing ability and earned his offer. He accepted it on the spot, becoming a Buckeye and accomplishing his goal. Today, he sits with the 11W community and opens up his thoughts on what it was like to become a Buckeye.
Which other recruits are you the closest to in the Elite 15? - MN Buckeye
DW: I feel I'm pretty close with Joshua Norwood even though we haven't seen each other in person yet, we've been texting and just talking about about football and our future at Ohio state. I'm also pretty close with Jerome Baker from Benedictine, when I went on my official visit to Ohio state he was there and we talk and get along well.
Which Buckeye, past of present, do you feel that closely resembles your playing style? - BuckeyeinSECcountry
DW: I feel Ted Ginn, Jr. and my playing style closely resemble each other. We're both known for being fast and have big-play making ability. I can be dangerous in the kick return game also.
What do you look forward to the most during your time at Ohio State? - WezBuck28
DW: I look forward to coming there to Ohio State, getting to know the guys and earning a spot on the field and making plays. It's a dream come true.
Aside from your obvious speed, what do you see as strengths to your game that sometimes get overshadowed? - Bucks15
DW: Aside from my speed, I feel another strength in my game is that I definitely take pride in watching film and learning about my opponent that I'll be facing that week. I love being in the film room, that's how we get better.
Our fan base is pretty fond of Coach Coombs for his relentless enthusiasm mixed with unmatched intensity and a dozen Red Bull's worth of energy. Players seem to want to run through walls for the guy and it seems like he'd run right through a wall with them. What do you think about Coach Coombs? - TennBuckeye19
DW: I feel coach Coombs is not only a great coach who I feel can best develop me as a elite player, but he's also a great person who stays real with you at all times. That's important to know he's always being himself.
What was the final deciding factor that left you with no doubt in your mind that you wanted to play for Ohio State? - APack614
DW: I always knew growing up I wanted to be a Buckeye. After talking to the coaches, (Urban) Meyer and (Kerry) Coombs, it helped reassure me that this is the place I want to be and have the best chance at a successful career.
How did it feel to be recognized and offered by the OSU staff so early? A lot of recruiting sites took awhile to see your talent and level of play. Does it provide any extra motivation? - 2002OSUBuck
DW: It definitely felt good to be recognize and offered by OSU it was big complement to my game. I was motivated throughout the whole process and still am because I always feel like i have something to prove, I do feel I was an "under the radar" athlete but I would go out on Friday night's and make sure that everyone watching the game knew that I was the best player on the field. My dad would always tell me "make someone know your last name"and that always motivated me and told me that I have to go take what's mine. I know nothing comes easy in life.
How much do you and your fellow classmates pay attention to what's happening in situations like last night with Mike Weber and Torrence Gibson? Or do you guys even care? - MotoBuckeye
DW: Yeah we definitely care about both of those players, and everyone in the class. Everyone was signed for a reason and their going to be key players in our road to success. We're family now, and we will fight for each other.
My dad would always tell me "make someone know your last name"and that always motivated me and told me that I have to go take what's mine. I know nothing comes easy in life.
Were you nervous camping at OSU knowing your performance may have a big impact on earning an offer? Do you feel like having to work hard for your offer on the field and in the classroom makes it more rewarding to be a Buckeye now? - OSU407
DW: I wasn't really nervous camping at Ohio State or thinking about earning the offer during the camp, I was just focused on competing, making plays and showing effort. If I did that, then I felt like everything would fall into place. Honestly I felt like I didn't have a good camp day at Ohio state, I know I could have ran a better time and I feel my technique was poor that day. I was trying to focus to much on using my speed to stay with the receiver rather than the technique I was taught. I definitely feel working hard in the class room and on the field made it that much more rewarding to be a Buckeye, it was definitely worth it.
How was Jeremy Birmingham to deal with during the recruiting process? - BuckGuyFan1
DW: (Laughs) Birm was great during the recruiting process. I enjoyed talking to him about my football season; he keeps it low-key and didn't really ever talk about recruiting.
I definitely enjoyed the process but I'm even happier that it's over. I have the opportunity to go play in the Horseshoe in that scarlet and gray. I'm looking forward to getting to Ohio State and learning the system so I can go compete and earn a spot on the field. It's time to start making plays again. Go Bucks!
