| Projected Ranking | ||
| Overall | Position | Proj. Rnd. |
| 94 | 13 | 3 |
| Combine Results | |||||||
| 40 Yd | 20 Yd | 10 Yd | 225 Bench | Vertical jump | Broad | Shuttle | 3-Cone Drill |
| 5.11 | 2.97 | - | 20 | 25 | - | 4.63 | 7.38 |
| Workout Results | |||||||
| 40 Yd | 20 Yd | 10 Yd | 225 Bench | Vertical jump | Broad | Shuttle | 3-Cone Drill |
| 5.09 | 2.97 | 1.76 | 20 | 25 | 9'3" | 4.63 | 7.38 |
He finished the season with 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while also adding two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media.
Ward transferred to Illinois in 2014 after playing two years at Global Institute of Technology in New York, where he became one of the top-rated JUCO recruits. It wasn't until junior college when Ward made the switch to the defensive line after playing wide receiver and safety in high school. While still understandably raw, it is the athletic upside and schematic versatility Ward possesses which could earn him top 100 consideration in the 2016 draft.
Possesses the length and strength necessary to set the edge and keep contain in run defense. Shows good effort in pursuit to the flanks and even downfield. Turned heads at the Senior Bowl. Has only played on the defensive line the past four years and may be just scratching the surface of his potential.
WEAKNESSES: Will be drafted based more on upside than production to this point. Bit of a 'tweener, raising questions about whether he's a better fit inside or outside and in what scheme he will be most effective.
May lack the grit to handle playing defensive tackle and, while surprisingly quick off the ball, Ward isn't a true threat off the edge as a pass rusher, recording just 4.5 total sacks in 25 career starts for the Illini. Doesn't use his length to his advantage often enough, batting down just three passes during this span, as well.
Relies on his quickness to split gaps or his strength to lockout, but shows very little technique to his game at this point, including little coordination of his hands to break free once blockers have latched on, awareness of cut blocks coming his way or screens developing around him.
IN OUR VIEW: Ward's frame may be better suited for playing inside, but he had plenty of success working at right defensive end during Senior Bowl practices. He has been somewhat overshadowed in a deep defensive line class, but has plenty of talent to make an impact at the next level.
--Rob Rang (2/10/16)
