Denzel Ward

Denzel Ward's Biography

Denzel Nehemiah Ward, born on April 28, 1997, is an extraordinary individual who carved a niche for himself in the realm of professional American football. His athletic prowess has seen him assume the critical position of a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). In his journey to professional football, Ward played for the Ohio State Buckeyes during his college years, marking impressive feats all through.

At an early age, Ward displayed the hallmarks of a budding athlete while attending Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio. He played not as a cornerback alone but also as a wide receiver for the Knights football team. His athletic skills weren’t restricted to football only as he played basketball and ran track as well. At the Division 1 region 1 finals in his senior year, Ward’s incredible potential came to the forefront when he registered a personal best timing of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters, landing him the first position. His performance at the state championships was equally laudable where he ran the 200 meters in 21.38 seconds, securing the third place. Ward then made the pivotal decision to commit to the Ohio State University to play college football.

At Ohio State, under the able guidance of head coach Urban Meyer, Ward played college football and demonstrated his potential as a budding athlete. During his freshman year in 2015, he played in 12 games, accumulating seven tackles. Demonstrating consistency in his sophomore year in 2016, he played all 13 games with 23 tackles to his credit. His strong performance continued into his junior year in 2017, where he emerged as a starter. Making a calculated move, Ward decided not to play in the 2017 Cotton Bowl, to better prepare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

On December 29, 2017, Ward shared on his Twitter account his decision to forego his senior season for the 2018 NFL Draft, which also resulted in him skipping the Cotton Bowl Classic. He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, skipping only the short shuttle and three-cone drill. His impressive blend of performance and skills solidified his standing as the top cornerback prospect. Ward’s achievements at the combine included tying for first in the 40-yard dash (4.32s), having the best broad jump (11’4″), second place in the vertical jump (39″) among his position group, and eighth in the bench press (16 reps) among cornerbacks.

The pre-draft period was a busy one for Ward, with team visits including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. He was among the top ten picks by NFL draft experts and scouts and was ranked as the top cornerback prospect in the draft by Sports Illustrated and NFL analyst Mike Mayock, while DraftScout.com ranked him second best. The Browns secured Ward in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, where he became the first defensive back drafted that year.

On July 24, 2018, Ward officially became a part of the Cleveland Browns after signing a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $29.16 million, inclusive of a $19.29 million signing bonus. His potential break-out season came after the departure of Jason McCourty and Jamar Taylor from the Browns team. Head coach Hue Jackson named Ward as the starting cornerback to start the regular season alongside Terrance Mitchell.

In his first season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ward made six combined tackles, disrupted three passes, and earned two interceptions leading to a 21-21 tie. His performance earned acclaim, including him being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. His rookie year culminated in 53 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 13 games, with 12 as a starter. The commendable performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Ward’s following seasons were equally impressive. In week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he returned a 61-yard touchdown off a pass thrown by Andy Dalton. This marked his first interception of the season and contributed to a 27-19 win. The winning streak continued in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Ward securing a 22-17 win, courtesy of his four pass deflections and an interception late in the fourth quarter. While on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Browns on December 31, 2020, Ward was activated by January 13, 2021. On April 23, 2021, the Browns exercised Ward’s fifth-year option.

Ending the 2021 season with 43 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and three interceptions, including a 99-yard pick-six against the Bengals in Week 9, Ward was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl, marking his second selection. On April 18, 2022, the Browns secured Ward’s expertise for another five years through a contract extension worth $100.5 million with $71.25 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Despite the accolades and recognition, Ward’s determination never wavered, as demonstrated when he recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 13. His journey bears testament to the commitment and excellence inherent in his approach towards his football career.