Denzel Ward wasn't supposed to be the "next one" in the same way some of his predecessors were. Honestly, when you look back at the 2015 recruiting class, he wasn't the headliner. He was a four-star kid out of Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio, which is basically a stone's throw from Cleveland. People knew he was fast. Like, track-star fast. But at roughly 170 pounds soaking wet back then, there were real questions about whether he could survive the Big Ten's physicality.
Fast forward a few years. He’s the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The journey of Ohio State Denzel Ward is a masterclass in waiting your turn and then absolutely seizing it. In an era where players hit the transfer portal the second they aren't listed as a starter on the depth chart, Ward did the opposite. He sat. He learned. He played special teams. Then, he became the best cornerback in the country.
The Room That Built a Monster
You’ve got to understand the environment at Ohio State during those years. It was less of a locker room and more of a factory for first-round picks. Ward wasn't just competing against opponents on Saturdays; he was competing against Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley every single day in practice.
Think about that for a second.
In 2016, Ward was basically the "third" starter in a rotation that featured two guys who would go on to be high NFL draft picks. He played 13 games that year, racking up 23 tackles and nine pass breakups. He didn't have a single interception that season, yet anyone with eyes could see he was a problem for receivers. He was a blur.
Kerry Coombs, the legendary cornerbacks coach at the time, basically treated that trio like a three-headed monster. Ward didn't care about the lack of a "starter" tag. He just shadowed whoever was in front of him. This period is really what refined his footwork at the line of scrimmage. He learned how to "mirror" receivers, staying in that annoying hip pocket where a quarterback feels like they're throwing into a brick wall.
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2017: The Year Ohio State Denzel Ward Became "The Warden"
When Lattimore and Conley left for the NFL, it was finally Denzel's show. And man, did he deliver.
The season opener against Indiana was basically a loud announcement to the rest of the college football world. He finished that game with five pass breakups and an interception. By the time October rolled around, he wasn't just a cover guy; he was a playmaker.
Most people remember the 2017 Penn State game for the wild comeback, but the momentum shifted because of Ward. Ohio State was down by 15 in the fourth quarter. It felt over. Then Ward comes screaming off the edge and blocks a punt. That one play sparked an 18-point comeback and cemented his status as a "game-changer" rather than just a "reliable corner."
The Statistical Reality of 2017
It wasn't just the flashy plays, though. The raw numbers from his junior year are kind of ridiculous:
- 15 pass breakups (tied for the best in the nation at one point).
- 17 total passes defended (4th highest in Ohio State history for a single season).
- 37 total tackles from a guy who was often told he was "too small" to tackle Big Ten running backs.
He was a Consensus All-American. He was First-team All-Big Ten. He was the guy that quarterbacks just stopped looking at by the end of the year. If you watched the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin, you saw him snag another interception that basically slammed the door shut.
The Choice That Divided the Fanbase
We have to talk about the Cotton Bowl.
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Ward decided to sit out the game against USC to prepare for the NFL Draft. This was 2017—bowl opting-out wasn't as "normal" as it is now. It sparked a massive debate among the 11W community and Buckeyes fans everywhere. Some people felt he was abandoning his team; others realized he had millions of dollars on the line.
Urban Meyer was actually incredibly supportive, calling him a "great young man." Kerry Coombs knew it was coming, too. They had prepared for it. Looking back, you can't blame him. He had nothing left to prove at the collegiate level, and his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine a few months later proved he was ready.
He ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash. He had a 39-inch vertical. He was a freak of nature in a 5'11", 190-pound frame.
Why His Style Still Influences the Buckeyes Today
When you watch Ohio State's current defensive backs, you still see the "Denzel Ward" influence. It’s that aggressive, press-man coverage style. He didn't just play the ball; he played the man.
A lot of scouts talk about "recovery speed," which is the ability to catch up if a receiver gets a step on you. Ward had plenty of that, but his real gift was "reactive quickness." He could change direction before the receiver even finished their cut. It’s a rare twitchiness that you just can't coach.
Since leaving Columbus, Ward has been a perennial Pro Bowler for the Cleveland Browns, proving that the Big Ten production wasn't a fluke. He’s the first player since 1999 to have at least 10 passes defensed and two interceptions in each of his first seven NFL seasons. That consistency started on the practice fields in Columbus.
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What You Can Learn from Ward's Career
If you’re a student of the game or just a die-hard fan, Ward’s trajectory offers some pretty cool insights into how elite talent is actually formed.
The "Wait Your Turn" Strategy Works
In the age of the transfer portal, Ward’s story is a reminder that being the third guy in an elite room is often better than being the first guy in a mediocre one. Competing with Lattimore and Conley made him a top-5 pick.
Versatility is a Value Multiplier
Ward wasn't just a "cover corner." He was a special teams demon. That blocked punt against Penn State is arguably the most important play of his Ohio State career. If you want to get noticed, you do the dirty work.
Technique Over Size
At 5'11", Ward was never the biggest guy on the field. He won because his footwork was flawless. He focused on "mirroring" and "staying in the hip pocket," which are technical skills anyone can drill.
The legacy of Ohio State Denzel Ward is more than just stats. It’s about a local kid who stayed home, worked his way through a crowded depth chart, and became the gold standard for what a Buckeyes cornerback should be. Whether you're watching his old highlights or following him on Sundays, the impact of his three years in Columbus is still being felt today.
Next time you see a Buckeyes corner break up a pass at the last second, just know they’re probably trying to channel a little bit of what number 12 did back in 2017.
To truly appreciate his impact, go back and watch the 2017 game against Michigan. Look at how he erased Donovan Peoples-Jones from the game. It’s a clinic on how to play the position without needing a massive frame. Study his footwork at the line—it's still the best teaching tape available for young defensive backs.