Jihad Ward

Born on May 11, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jihad Ward began his football journey later than some, not playing until his sophomore year of high school at Edward W. Bok Technical High School. He initially played wide receiver and safety before transitioning to defensive end as a junior, earning second-team All-City honors in 2010 and first-team in 2011. To further his academic and athletic development, Ward attended Globe Institute of Technology for two years, where he recorded 26 tackles and 2 sacks in 7 games in 2013, before transferring to the University of Illinois in 2014. At Illinois, he quickly established himself as a key defensive player, starting as a defensive end in his first season and tallying 51 tackles, 3 sacks, and a conference-leading 4 fumble recoveries. His collegiate career culminated with 104 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three passes defensed over two seasons.

Ward entered the NFL Draft seen as a promising prospect with strong athletic ability and versatility, capable of playing various defensive line positions. Despite a pre-draft knee injury, he was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round (44th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. His rookie season saw him play in all 16 games, starting 13, and accumulating 30 tackles, showcasing his immediate impact. Throughout his professional career, Ward has played for several NFL teams, including the Oakland Raiders (2016-2017), Dallas Cowboys (2018 offseason/practice squad), Indianapolis Colts (2018-2019), Baltimore Ravens (2019-2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021), New York Giants (2022-2023), Minnesota Vikings (2024), and currently the Tennessee Titans (2025-present). A career highlight includes his 2023 season with the New York Giants where he achieved a career-high five sacks, demonstrating his continued growth and effectiveness as a pass rusher and run stopper.

Throughout his tenure in the NFL, Ward has consistently contributed to his teams’ defensive efforts. He has accumulated 168 total tackles, 19.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 8 pass deflections over his career. His journey in the NFL is marked by resilience, as he has navigated injuries and team changes, consistently securing roles and demonstrating his value on the defensive line. Ward’s ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and maintain a high level of play has made him a respected veteran in the league, known for his relentless motor and physical presence.