Arkansas Football: Inside Look at Incoming Freshman Jeremy Ward
By Ryan Wright
Fayetteville, Ark. – If there was one player undervalued by national recruiting services in the state of Arkansas during the 2011 high school football season it was Razorbacks’ incoming offensive lineman Jeremy Ward.
Ward, 6’4”, 290 pounds, projects as an offensive guard or center on the college level and is a road grading run blocker that offensive coordinators, running backs, and quarterbacks love to play behind.
Recruiting services varied on ranking Ward’s talent and ability. Rivals.com ranked him as the 30th best offensive lineman, Scout.com placed him at No. 23, and 247Sports posted him as their 12th best guard in the nation and the states top recruit.
The Pottsville, Arkansas native verbally committed to the Hogs in February of 2011 and never wavered on his school of choice. Ward even went the extra mile helping the Razorbacks recruit other prep stars to campus.
Ward was highly evaluated by college football teams but not offered by many schools because of his strong commitment to Arkansas. Arkansas State, Mississippi, and LSU all offered the Semper Fidelis All-American (Phoenix, Arizona).
His work ethic on the field has carried over into the weight room. At the U.S. Army All-American combine (Mobile, Alabama) he bench pressed 185 pounds 26 times. His max bench press is listed at 365 pounds and squats 495.
Coming to campus with an SEC ready frame and strength Ward will be able to concentrate on the playbook and his footwork in the hopes of pushing upperclassmen for playing time in 2012.
Coupled with fellow 2012 incoming freshman Cordale Boyd and 2011 signees Brey Cook and Mitch Smothers, the Arkansas Razorbacks appear to be set on the offensive line for years to come.
Inside the Numbers
Pottsville went undefeated in league play during the 2011 season running behind Ward. The Apaches lost in the playoffs to the eventual state champions, Pulaski Academy.
Recruiting Rankings
247Sports: 4-star, No. 12
Scout.com: 3-star, No. 23
Rivals.com: 3-star, No. 30
Arkansas Razorback Recruits 2012
OG Cordale Boyd, 3-star, 6’3”, 290 pounds, Memphis, TN
OG Jeremy Ward, 3-star, 6’4”, 290 pounds, Pottsville, AR
WR D’Arthur Cowan, 3-star, 6’1’, 175 pounds, Olive Branch, MS
WR Keon Hatcher, 4-star, 6’1”, 195 pounds, Owasso, OK
WR Eric Hawkins, 3-star, 6’5”, 220, Longview, TX
WR #Demetrius Wilson, 3-star, 6’2”, 170 pounds, Glendale, AZ
WR McKale McKay, 3-star, 6’6”, 192 pounds, Louisville, KY
RB Nathan Holmes, 3-star, 6’1”, 180 pounds, Port Arthur, TX
RB Donovan Roberts, 3-star, 6’0”, 200 pounds, Norman, OK
RB Jonathan Williams, 4-star, 5’11”, 205 pounds, Allen, TX
TE/DE Jeremy Sprinkle, 3-star, 6’6”, 215, White Hall, AR
TE *Demetrius Dean, 3-star, 6’3”, 250 pounds, Fayetteville, AR
CB Ray Buchanan Jr., 3-star, 5’10”, 170 pounds, Suwanee, GA
CB Jared Collins, 3-star, 5’11”, 170 pounds, Tulsa, OK
FS Will Hines, 3-star, 6’1”, 175 pounds, Waco, TX
SS Defonta Lowe, 3-star, 6’2”, 180 pounds, Bearden, AR
LB A.J. Turner, 3-star, 6’3”, 200 pounds, Lepanto, AR
LB Vin Ascolese, 3-star, 6’2”, 215 pounds, New Bergen, NJ
LB Otha Peters, 4-star, 6’1”, 220 pounds, Covington, LA
DE Brandon Lewis, 3-star, 6’5”, 220 pounds, Memphis, TN
DE JaMichael Winston, 3-star, 6’6”, 230 pounds, Prichard, AL
DE Darius Philon, 3-star, 6’1”, 282 pounds, Prichard, AL
DE Deatrich Wise Jr., 4-star, 6’5”, 220 pounds, Carrolton, TX
DE Taiwan Johnson, 3-star, 6’3”, 240 pounds, Manvel, TX
DE *#Austin Flynn, 3-star, 6’4”, 250 pounds, Los Angeles Harbor CC
*Early enrollee at University of Arkansas
# Denotes junior college player
Position by position breakdown of Arkansas 2012 verbal commitments:
Offensive line: two
Running backs: three
Wide receivers: five
Quarterbacks: none
Tight ends: two
Defensive line: six
Linebackers: three
Safeties: two
Cornerbacks: two
Kickers: none