Houston’s Greg Ward, Jr. doesn’t much care for the limelight, but the Heisman hopeful’s stellar skills have made him one of the most talked about college quarterbacks in the country. Ward’s abilities will be tested first rattle out of the box as the #15 Cougars face the #3 Oklahoma Sooners, led by Baker Mayfield, on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.
A 2013 graduate of John Tyler High School, Ward put himself on the map after an incredible high school career. As a junior at John Tyler, Ward racked up 3,596 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 1,212 yards and 18 touchdowns on 207 carries. As a senior, Ward threw the ball 400 times, completing 280 of those attempts. More impressive for the three-star college recruit? He only threw five interceptions. Ward went on to finish his senior season with 4,202 yards and 39 touchdowns. Not only dangerous through the air, Ward also rushed for 861 yards on 170 carries while scoring 13 touchdowns.
Signing his NLI with Houston, Ward was thrust into the role of the permanent Cougars play caller in 2014 after John O’Korn struggled to get the job done for Houston. Since then, Ward has set record after record for the Cougars heading into his senior season. As a starter for Houston, Ward is 19-2; the best in school history. His first two seasons were spent mainly as a wide receiver, but Ward quickly sealed his name in the history books at Houston as their quarterback. The Cougars finished 2015 with a 13-1 record, ending with a huge win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
Last year, Ward had a standout season. Throwing for 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns, Ward also rushed for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was the first Houston quarterback to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in a season and set the single season record for rushing touchdowns. What Ward will do in 2016 has yet to be seen, but if the 2015 season is any indicator, Houston fans are in for quite the ride with Ward leading the way.
Ward is humble about his accomplishments on the field and doesn’t like talking about his long list of accolades. However, Ward does like talking about what he sees as his greatest accomplishment, his two year-old daughter.
“I don’t play for myself,” Ward said earlier in the Houston Chronicle. “I have a daughter. It’s way more important than just me.”
Balancing the role of one of the best college quarterbacks in the nation and a dad isn’t easy, but Ward gets it done. On Saturday, the nation will be watching to see Ward take his first step in a season that could end in New York with his name being called as the winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy, joining John Tyler alum “The Tyler Rose” Earl Campbell.
