 Ward with theOakland Raiders in 2016 | |||||||||||||
| No. 53 – Tennessee Titans | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1994-05-11)May 11, 1994 (age 31) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 285 lb (129 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Edward W. Bok Technical (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||||
| College |
| ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2016: 2nd round, 44th overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Jihad Ward (/dʒɪˈhɑːd/jih-HAHD;[1] born May 11, 1994) is an American professionalfootballlinebacker for theTennessee Titans of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theIllinois Fighting Illini and selected by theOakland Raiders in the second round of the2016 NFL draft. Ward has also played for theIndianapolis Colts,Baltimore Ravens,Jacksonville Jaguars,New York Giants, andMinnesota Vikings.
Ward attendedEdward W. Bok Technical High School inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He didn't play football until his sophomore year. He began as awide receiver andsafety, before being converted into a stand updefensive end as a junior.
He received second-team All-City (2010) and first-team All-City (2011) honors. He also practicedbasketball.
Ward attendedGlobe Institute of Technology for two years to improve his grades.[3] In 2013, he played in 7 games, making 26tackles (3 for loss) and 2sacks.
In 2014, he transferred to theUniversity of Illinois.[4] He was named a starter atdefensive end in the fourth game of the season. He posted 51 tackles, 3 sacks, 4fumble recoveries (led the conference), 2 forced fumbles, and onepass defended.[5][6]
As a senior, he started all 12 games, playing both at defensive end anddefensive tackle. He registered 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.[7] Against theUniversity 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]
Coming out of college, most analysts projected Ward to be a second or third round selection. Although analysts had said he has above average 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 theNFL 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 coachLovie Smith. Defensive line coaches from theNew England Patriots,Cincinnati Bengals, and theHouston Texans came especially to watch Ward perform.[10]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft5+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 s | 1.80 s | 2.96 s | 4.63 s | 7.38 s | 28.0 in (0.71 m) | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) | 22 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Scouting Combine/Pro Day[9][11] | ||||||||||||
Ward was selected by theOakland Raiders in the second round (44th overall) of the2016 NFL draft, after dropping because he had a knee injury that was expected to requirearthroscopic surgery.[12] Ward didn't participate much in organized team activities during the offseason.[citation needed] 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]
On April 28, 2018, the Raiders traded Ward to theDallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiverRyan Switzer.[16] Cowboys defensive coordinatorRod Marinelli coached Ward in the2016 Senior Bowl.
On September 1, 2018, the Cowboys waived Ward during final roster cuts.[17]
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On September 3, 2018, theIndianapolis Colts signed Ward to theirpractice squad.[18] The team promoted him to the active roster on September 13, 2018.[19] He was placed oninjured 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]
On October 7, 2019, Ward was signed by theBaltimore 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]
On March 17, 2021, Ward signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with theJacksonville Jaguars.[29] Ward appeared in all 17 games and started one. He recorded two sacks and 32 total tackles (ten solo).[30]
On March 21, 2022, Ward signed with theNew 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] He played in all 17 games with nine starts. recording a career-high five sacks.[34]
On March 20, 2024, Ward signed with theMinnesota Vikings.[35] He finished the 2024 season with one sack, ten tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery.[36]
On July 24, 2025, Ward signed with theTennessee Titans.[37]
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.[38]
