BEREA, Ohio -- In the hours before the Cleveland Browns held their first meeting of training camp, they reached an agreement to sign cornerback Denzel Ward, whom they selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
And when Ward, a native of Macedonia, Ohio and graduate of Nordonia High School, took a moment to reflect on the achievement after putting his signature on the rookie contract, he understood it was the realization of a goal and the start of another journey.
“Man, it was a dream,” Ward said prior to Friday’s training-camp practice.
“Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to make it to the NFL and to get to this position that I’m at in my career and making it to the NFL and being able to sign an NFL contract, it’s just an exciting feeling, and I’m ready to get the work done.”
While the contract signing came down to the wire in terms of time before camp, Ward wanted the deal done ahead of the first practice.
“Yeah, it was very important to be out here on time because I wanted to make the conditioning test and be out here with the guys practicing, so I didn’t want to miss any time and I’m glad I got it finished before this,” Ward said.
Also, by signing the contract, Ward achieved another goal and was able to take care of his mother, Nicole.
“My mom has done a lot for me,” Ward said. “I’m already paying for her mortgage for her house and I’m going to pay that off, so whatever I can do to make things easier for my mom, I’m down to do it.”
Now that the business of football is done and out of the way, it is time for Ward to focus on his craft, just as he did during the offseason program, where he earned so much respect from the veterans that they met with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to get him into the first-team lineup.
“That was definitely one of my goals to come out here and compete and show my teammates and coaches that I’ve got the ability to be able to be in the starting lineup and just prove it to them really,” Ward said.
“That is definitely a great compliment and I appreciate that, and I’ve just got to keep showing them that every day by working hard.”
Over 26 career games in three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ward registered 47 solo tackles, 20 assists, two stops for lost yardage, two interceptions and 24 passes defended.
Playing behind first-round picks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore in each of his first two years in Columbus, Ward blossomed into a No. 1 cornerback for the Buckeyes ahead of the 2017 season, and by the end of the year, was a consensus All-American in the secondary.
Ward finished his final season at Ohio State with 30 solo stops, seven assists, two tackles for lost yardage, two interceptions and 15 passes defended.
“I’m very comfortable in who I am as a player,” Ward said. “Those guys are elite players, great guys and players, but we all put our shoes on the same way, pants on and just come out here and work.
“I’ve just got a competitive nature to myself to come out here and compete and make plays and do all I can to help this team win.”
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