Tag: Rodrick Ward

Colorado safety Rodrick Ward to declare for NFL draft

Rodrick Ward announced he’ll be declaring for the NFL draft

After one season at Colorado, safety Rodrick Ward announced Friday that he’ll declare for the 2024 NFL draft.

Ward transferred to the Buffs in May following three seasons at Southern Utah, where he recorded 12 pass deflections and five interceptions in 28 games played. The California native also earned All-WAC honors in 2022.

He wrapped his lone year in Boulder with 52 total tackles (fourth-most on the team), two pass breakups, one TFL and a forced fumble.

“To Buff Nation, thank you for showing me the best parts of college football,” Ward wrote in an Instagram post. “To the coaches and staff at Colorado, thank you for allowing me to fine tune my skills and grow as a young man. To my teammates, you will forever be my family.”

Colorado defensive end Taijh Alston also announced on Friday that he’ll be declaring for the draft.

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Five players who stepped up big for Colorado against USC

These five players stepped up big for the #cubuffs on Saturday

With Travis Hunter, Shilo Sanders and other key players out, several Buffs who hadn’t seen the field much this season, including a couple of true freshmen, stepped up when needed on Saturday against USC.

Yes, Colorado’s comeback attempt came up just short, but head coach Deion Sanders gained a good deal of confidence in multiple second and third-string players. The shorthanded Buffs even outscored the vaunted Trojans by 13 points in the second half thanks to their depth, something that many thought Colorado lacked heading into this season.

Below are five players who stepped up big for the Buffs on Saturday against USC:

Two Buffs make PFF list of highest-graded returning Pac-12 safeties

Colorado owns two of the highest-graded returning safeties in the Pac-12, according to @PFF_College

According to Pro Football Focus, the Colorado Buffaloes have a pair of dynamic safeties ready to contribute entering the 2023 season. PFF’s college football Twitter page revealed its top 10 highest-graded returning (as in non-rookies) safeties in the Pac-12 and two Buffs made the list.

Checking in at No. 8 was Rodrick Ward, who transferred to the Buffs from Southern Utah in May. Ward was a first-team All-WAC player last season and will be in the mix to get playing time next year.

At No. 6 was a player who has all the makings of a leader for the Buffaloes, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig. After starring at Jackson State, Silmon-Craig made the transition to Colorado where it looks like he will get a lot of time in the secondary this season.

Both Ward and Silmon-Craig are making the jump from the FCS level, but if their grades can carry over, Colorado’s secondary will become that much deeper.

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Southern Utah transfer safety Rodrick Ward commits to Colorado

The #cubuffs picked up an All-WAC safety out of Southern Utah

The Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders are leaving no stone unturned in remaking their roster, and the latest example comes with Southern Utah transfer safety Rodrick Ward committing to Colorado on Sunday.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back was a first-team All-WAC performer last season and will join a crowded safeties room in Boulder. The southern California native had an outstanding last season for the Thunderbirds, compiling 52 total tackles while adding four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, one sack and one tackle for a loss in 11 games played.

Ward looks like he could be a weapon in defending the passing game, especially in nickel packages.

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