College: During his time at Central Florida, Ward appeared in 50 games (50 starts) and was a two-time consecutive Mannelly Award finalist in 2021 and 2022. During his final campaign in 2022, Ward was named Second-Team All-America long snapper by Phil Steele, First-Team All-AAC by Phil Steele, Third-Team preseason All-America by Phil Steele, First-Team preseason AllAAC, and was a 2022 semifinalist for the NFF Campbell Award. He was invited and participated in the 2023 Senior Bowl all-star game, as well as the 2023 NFL Combine. In the 2021 season, Ward appeared in all 13 games. Against Memphis he recovered a fumble on a muffed punt and against South Florida he recorded a tackle on punt coverage. Ward earned Third-Team All-America honors and First-Team all-conference accolades from Phil Steele, as well as being named a Mannelly Award finalist. In fall 2021, he earned UCF AD honor roll. As a redshirt junior in 2020, Ward appeared in all 10 games as the starter. He recorded one tackle and earned AAC All-Academic Team honors as well as UCF Dean's List for spring 2021. During the 2019 season, Ward started all 13 games and earned AAC All-Academic Team honors. He made his collegiate debut against FAMU. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, Ward earned AAC All-Academic Team honors. During his true freshman year in 2017, he redshirted and earned AAC All-Academic Team honors.
Personal: A 2017 graduate of Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Fl., Ward graduated Summa Cum Laude. Grandson of Allen Koester, who served 28 years in the United State Air Force and retired as the Assistant Vice Commander for the Aeronautical Systems Center. During his time at UCF, Ward participated in Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program and worked on camera targeting for an Apache helicopter. He studied mechanical engineering and was named to the Order of Pegasus, UCF's highest student honor that recognizes select graduating seniors
