Better Know a Buckeye: Denzel Ward

Our look toward the upcoming football season continues with our Better Know a Buckeye series profiling the incoming freshman comprising the 2015 recruiting class. This week's subject is Denzel Ward, a cornerback prospect from Nordonia High School.

Like the subject of last week's profile, Ward's recruitment started much later than his four-star peers. His first offer came in February of last year. He acquired a handful of offers from programs like Bowling Green, Cincinnati, and Kentucky before earning a camp offer from Ohio State in June. He committed on the spot. I will retell his recruitment and commitment in the next two sections.

Then, I discuss Ward's strengths and areas for improvement before he enrolls at Ohio State. I offer a projection whether Ward redshirts in 2015 before closing with various film you can watch of Ward.

HIS RECRUITMENT

Denzel Ward ended his junior year without any scholarship offers. In that respect, his recruitment is similar to Dre'Mont Jones, profiled last week. Whereas Jones' issue was playing on a talent-laden program that made it difficult for him to earn playing time, Ward was coming off the beaten path. The Nordonia program in Macedonia does not produce a lot of college football talent. Before the program landed two players at power-conference schools (Justice Alexander signed with Michigan State), the last player from Nordonia to sign with a college football program on National Letter of Intent Day was in 2009 (Luke Batton, Kent State). The last alumni to sign with a power-conference school was in 2007 (Joran Mabin, Northwestern). The last Buckeye to come from the program was Rob Sims, who signed with Ohio State in 2002.

Undersized, even for his position, Ward needed to showcase his potential at various combines and camps. His breakthrough moment came in the Best of the Midwest Combine in February of last year. Ward was the eye-turning breakout performer at a combine that also featured Nick Conner (LB, Ohio State), Damien Harris (RB, Alabama), and Tommy Stevens (QB, Penn State). He ran a low of 4.31 in a 40-yard dash drill and had a 10-5 broad jump. On those metrics alone, Cincinnati's representatives in attendance informed him he had a scholarship offer to play for the Bearcats.

Three more offers followed from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Ohio in the days after that combine. Massachusetts offered a month later, right as Ward had set his eyes on a bigger prize: Ohio State. Ward was en route to Columbus for an unofficial visit and discussed the terms of the visit with Eleven Warriors.

As for his trip to Columbus, Ward said the Buckeyes were straightforward with him about what he'd need to do in order to earn a scholarship.

"The number one priority is getting my grades up," he said. "They also want me to attend camp this summer. The grades are something I am going to put my full effort into and it's not just something I want to do, I need to do it."

Conditioning a scholarship offer on improving grades and a camp performance is nothing new for Ohio State coaches. Without discounting academics, the camp performance may have been the more immediate priority. Ward did not partake in the camp and combine circuit after his sophomore year. Coming from a smaller program in Ohio, performing under the instruction and watchful eyes of the coaches would be a deciding factor in Ohio State's decision to continue recruiting Ward.

Ward needed to finish his junior year of high school before he could perform at Ohio State for the coaches, though the time between March and June allowed Ward to receive additional offers from Indiana, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Washington State.

On June 19, 2014, Ward had the opportunity to earn a scholarship offer at a football camp hosted by Ohio State. 

HIS COMMITMENT

He earned that offer from Ohio State and committed on that spot, securing Ward's spot as the eighth member of Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class.

Ward's commitment was unsurprising. He is one of those in-state prospects that aspired to play for Ohio State in his youth. It was also the scholarship offer for which he endeavored to earn in the summer of 2014. When presented the opportunity, Ward immediately said "yes" to the Buckeyes.

WHERE HE EXCELS

Perhaps the biggest reason Ward received a scholarship offer from Ohio State is that 4.31 40-yard dash speed. It's why he got his first offer from Cincinnati. Ward may be the fastest prospect in all of Ohio, let alone his Ohio State recruiting class. He should be able to stick to speedy receivers on their "go" routes. 

Beyond speed, Ward is actually a rather polished cornerback prospect. This is somewhat surprising, given the program from which he graduated. I can see why Ward is not a wide receiver prospect, but he does have greater than average ball skills as a cornerback. He can turn his hips to ride a wide receiver down the field. Ohio State wanted more of a "man corner" in this class and got one in Ward.

Ward is listed at 5-11 and 165 pounds but plays above it. His arms are much longer than a 5-11 prospect and he plays harder than a cornerback carrying around 160 pounds on his frame. He is active in run support.

He also professes to loving time spent in the film room. This may be a subtle virtue as high school prospects may have a love-hate relationship with this important part of player development. Stuff like this sorts great football players from just great athletes.

Finally, he shows some knack for special teams, especially as a return man. It's conceivable Ward could be an option to return kicks or punts for the Buckeyes down the road, though I do not know of the likelihood of this.

MUST WORK ON

The most obvious limitation in Ward's game is his size. He's 5-11 and 165 and plays bigger than that. However, he's still 5-11 and 165 pounds. Newton's laws of motion still apply. While he's active in run support from the corner position, he's not the most reliable tackler. He'll come high, which could get him blown up at the college level. He can come low, which is okay in high school but will lead to missed ankle tackles at the college level. I think this is all a function of his size. Ward will want to make the most of his time in the weight room.

REDSHIRT?

This is another 50/50 projection. Ward's speed is perfect for special teams. He might be the player in this recruiting class best equipped to thrive on kickoff coverage as a true freshman. At the moment, I don't see him cracking the two-deep at cornerback and it's possible there are other players on the roster with eligibility to burn who can handle piranha duties. I'm leaning toward a redshirt projection for 2015. If Ward plays in 2015, it will likely be on special teams.

HIGHLIGHTS

Scouting Ohio has junior year film of Denzel Ward.

You can also see footage of him playing in the 2014 Division II state championship game game in which Nordonia lost to La Salle. Here is a signing day interview with a local ABC affiliate.

You can also watch this interview with the Plain Dealer in which Ward discusses his defensive player of the year honors.