2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Alize Ward, S, Stephen F. Austin University
Last year, I gave Alize Ward the senior safety from Stephen F. Austin University a draft grade. I felt he was one of the better safeties in the entire FCS. Unfortunately, he injured his knee in a freak non-contact injury, that cost him his senior season.
The good thing is Ward was able to gain a redshirt and he will be back in 2020 to prove once again he deserves to play in the National Football League.
Ward is an All-Conference free safety that plays the game much like Tyrann Mathieu. He is a San Diego, California native that came to Stephen F. Austin in 2015. He had to redshirt as a freshman, but his redshirt Freshman year he made his presence felt on the field.
Alize started 7 games in the secondary and finished the season with 59 tackles and one interception.
In 2017, as a redshirt Sophomore, Ward brought home some hardware as All-Southland Conference 2nd team defensive honors. He finished the year with 75 tackles and four interceptions. He also added 10 pass break ups, but it was really impressive.
As a junior, he started all but one game at safety. He finished with an additional 58 tackles, and was also a solid kick returner for the Lumberjacks.
Last year, as we reported above, Ward suffered a freak non-contact injury. Ward is destined for a huge season in 2020. He will be a graduate student this year and I expect him to have a monstrous year.
NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:
I am so happy to see Alize Ward back with the Lumberjacks. The former All-Conference safety will be back in 2020, and ready to show he belongs in the NFL. He is a player I am extremely high on. The 5’10 safety and athlete. He can return kicks, and is a sound tackler. I had Ward labeled as a 5th round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft before I found out he would not be leaving. I think NFL teams are going to be checking his injury and if he is good to go, I would not be shocked tons of teams come through SFA. – Damond Talbot, Owner, Damond Talbot.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com