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.