Jihad Ward
refer to caption
Ward with the Oakland Raiders in 2016
No. 55 – New York Giants
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1994-05-11) May 11, 1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:287 lb (130 kg)
Career information
High school:Edward W. Bok Technical
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College:Illinois
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 2 / Pick: 44
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Tackles:158
Sacks:18.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:4
Pass deflections:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jihad Ward (/dʒɪˈhɑːd/ jih-HAHD;[1] born May 11, 1994) is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois.

Early years

Ward attended Edward W. Bok Technical High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He didn't play football until his sophomore year. He began as a wide receiver and safety, before being converted into a stand up defensive end as a junior.

He received second-team All-City (2010) and first-team All-City (2011) honors. He also practiced basketball.

College career

Ward attended Globe Institute of Technology for two years to improve his grades.[3] In 2013, he played in 7 games, making 26 tackles (3 for loss) and 2 sacks.

In 2014, he transferred to the University of Illinois.[4] He was named a starter at defensive end in the fourth game of the season. He posted 51 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries (led the conference), 2 forced fumbles, and one pass defended.[5][6]

As a senior, he started all 12 games, playing both at defensive end and defensive tackle. He registered 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.[7] Against the University of Iowa, he had a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo.

In his last two years, he had 104 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three passes defensed.[8]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Coming out of college, most analysts projected Ward to be a second or third round selection. Although analysts had said he has above athletic ability for a man his size, can play both end spots in a 3-4 or 4–3, is large enough to play defensive tackle in 4–3, and could become a quality pass rusher in the NFL, he was also seen as a developmental project who needs improvement in his power, and has inconsistent balance in contact.[9]

Ward was invited to the NFL scouting combine and also participated at Illinois' Pro Day and even improved on the majority of his combine numbers. Representatives and scouts from all 32 teams showed up at Illinois' Pro Day, which was run by head coach Lovie Smith. Defensive line coaches from the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Houston Texans came especially to watch Ward perform.[10]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 5+1⁄8 in
(1.96 m)		 297 lb
(135 kg)		 33+7⁄8 in
(0.86 m)		 9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		5.09 s1.80 s2.96 s4.63 s7.38 s28.0 in
(0.71 m)		9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		22 reps
All values from NFL Scouting Combine/Pro Day[9][11]

Oakland Raiders

Ward was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round (44th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, after dropping because he had a knee injury that was expected to require arthroscopic surgery.[12] Ward didn't participate much in organized team activities during the offseason. Ward finished his rookie season with 30 tackles in 16 games, 13 of which were starts.[13]

On July 6, 2017, it was revealed that he had surgery on his left foot after injuring it during a workout, putting him out of action until mid-August.[14] The injury limited him during the season, playing in only five games and was declared inactive in ten contests.[15]

Dallas Cowboys

On April 28, 2018, the Raiders traded Ward to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Ryan Switzer.[16] Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli coached Ward in the 2016 Senior Bowl.

On September 1, 2018, the Cowboys waived Ward during final roster cuts.[17]

Indianapolis Colts

Jihad Ward in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2018

On September 3, 2018, the Indianapolis Colts signed Ward to their practice squad.[18] The team promoted him to the active roster on September 13, 2018.[19] He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2018, with an ankle injury.[20] Despite only playing in six games in the 2018 season, he recorded three sacks.[21]

On October 1, 2019, Ward was released by the Colts.[22]

Baltimore Ravens

On October 7, 2019, Ward was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.[23] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 14 games and had one sack.[24]

On March 21, 2020, Ward re-signed with the Ravens.[25] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 26, 2020,[26] and activated on December 5, 2020.[27] He appeared in ten games in the 2020 season. He had three sacks, 16 total tackles, and two passes defended.[28]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On March 17, 2021, Ward signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[29] Ward appeared in all 17 games and started one. He recorded two sacks and 32 total tackles (ten solo).[30]

New York Giants

On March 21, 2022, Ward signed with the New York Giants on a one-year contract.[31] He played in 17 games with 11 starts, recording a career-high 43 tackles and three sacks.[32]

Ward re-signed with the Giants on March 29, 2023.[33]

Personal life

Ward is Muslim. He has said that his name, Jihad, which is popular where he was raised in Philadelphia, has been misunderstood due to the negative connotations associated with the term, which has been used to describe Islamic violence against non-Muslims.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Denver Broncos (8–7) vs. Oakland Raiders (12–3), Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, 2:25 pm MST, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver (flipcard) – NFL.com. Retrieved November 27, 2020
  2. ↑ Frenette, Gene (March 27, 2021). "Jaguars' defensive lineman Jihad Ward took big risks on his football journey". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ Mays, Robert (March 29, 2016). "For Jihad Ward, It Was The Journey". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  4. ↑ Juliano, Joe (November 19, 2014). "DE Jihad Ward took long road from North Philly to Illinois". Inquirer.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Bennett, Brian (March 18, 2015). "Jihad Ward on the move upward at Illinois". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hunt, Donald (October 23, 2015). "Former Bok Tech star Jihad Ward shines for Illinois". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  7. ↑ Dulac, Gerry (February 27, 2016). "Athletic defensive lineman Jihad Ward an intriguing option for Steelers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Jihad Ward College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Jihad Ward Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ Gil Brandt (March 10, 2016). "DL coaches from three NFL teams check out Illinois' Ward". NFL.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  11. ↑ "2016 Draft Scout Jihad Ward, Illinois NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Oakland Raiders Select Illinois DE Jihad Ward in the 2nd Round of the 2016 NFL Draft". Raiders.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Jihad Ward has foot surgery, set to return in August". NFL.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  16. ↑ Teope, Herbie (April 28, 2018). "Cowboys trade Ryan Switzer to Raiders for Jihad Ward". NFL.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  17. ↑ Helman, David (September 1, 2018). "Bailey Not Only Surprise Cut As Cowboys Trim To 53". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  18. ↑ Walker, Andrew (September 3, 2018). "Colts Sign Free Agent Tight End Ryan Hewitt; Place Tyquan Lewis On IR". Colts.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Colts Elevate DE Jihad Ward To Active Roster; Waive TE Erik Swoope". Colts.com. September 13, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Roster Moves: Colts Elevate WR Steve Ishmael To Active Roster; Place DT Jihad Ward On IR". Colts.com. October 26, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Colts Sign Defensive Tackle Trevon Coley From Ravens' Practice Squad". Colts.com. October 1, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  23. ↑ Brown, Clifton (October 7, 2019). "Ravens Add Former Colts Defensive Lineman to 53-Man Roster". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  25. ↑ Shaffer, Jonas (March 17, 2020). "Ravens reportedly re-sign defensive linemen Jihad Ward, Justin Ellis". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  26. ↑ Mink, Ryan (November 26, 2020). "Ravens Place Jihad Ward on Reserve/COVID-19 List, Reach 10 Players". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  27. ↑ Brown, Clifton (December 5, 2020). "Ravens Activate Three More Players From Reserve/COVID-19 List". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  29. ↑ Acosta, J. P. (March 16, 2021). "Jaguars agree to terms with DE Jihad Ward". Big Cat Country. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  31. ↑ DaSilva, Cameron (March 21, 2022). "Giants sign former 2nd-round pick Jihad Ward". Giants Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Jihad Ward 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Giants re-sign outside linebacker Jihad Ward". Giants.com. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  34. ↑ Dulac, Gerry (February 27, 2016). "Athletic defensive lineman Jihad Ward an intriguing option for Steelers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
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