Going into the 2022 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.
This time around, we’ll take a look at a veteran who figures to be a starter in the defensive back in safety Jay Ward, who has seen action in 33 games during his career in Baton Rouge.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 188
247Sports Composite Ranking
Three stars | No. 54 in Georgia | No. 50 cornerback
Class in 2021: Junior
Career Stats
| Year | G | Everything | Alone | FF | PDef | INT | TDs |
| 2019 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 29 | 22 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 | 11 | 71 | 41 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
PFF Rankings (Team Rankings)
| Year | Defense | Run Defense | Tackling | Pass Rush | Coverage |
| 2019 | 69.6 | 65.3 | 78.2 | 65.0 | 67.6 |
| 2020 | 66.3 | 43.7 | 28.3 | 73.1 | 69.2 |
| 2021 | 61.2 | 70.0 | 63.4 | 54.4 | 55.8 |
Depth Chart Overview
Ward enters the season with some question marks, but he’s still likely to be the starter at free safety for Game 1. He began his career as a cornerback, playing in every game as a true freshman in 2019 but mostly on special teams.
In 2020, he started three games and appeared in nine of 10. Though his action was limited, it proved to be his best season in coverage as he registered his best grade in that regard from Pro Football Focus while also totaling a career best nine pass breakups and three picks.
He moved to safety in the spring ahead of 2021, and he started all 11 games he appeared in last year. While he was very good against the run, he wasn’t great in coverage. If he wants to retain his starting position, he’ll have to fend off some challengers.
Major Burns returns, and the Tigers added Joe Foucha from Arkansas in the transfer portal as well. Foucha will likely start at strong safety opposite Ward, but the Tigers will hope to see a better performance from the senior this season.
Players’ Photo Gallery
NCAA Football: Texas Bowl-LSU at Kansas State
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) runs onto the field
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) runs onto the field before playing against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Texas Bowl-LSU at Kansas State
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) rushes for
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) rushes for a touchdown against LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) in the third quarter at the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Texas Bowl-LSU at Kansas State
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) reacts after a defensive…
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: UL Monroe at Louisiana State
Nov. 20, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks wide receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (17) is
Nov. 20, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks wide receiver Jahquan Bloomfield (17) is shot ed out of bounds by LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Mississippi
Oct 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Snoop Conner (24) carries the ball
Oct 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Snoop Conner (24) carries the ball against LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Kentucky
Oct 9, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) runs the ball
Oct 9, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) runs the ball against LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward (5) during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn LSU Football
LSU safety Jay Ward (5) lines up for a play against Auburn wide receiver Demetris Robertson
LSU safety Jay Ward (5) lines up for a play against Auburn wide receiver Demetris Robertson (0) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Auburn won 24-19. (AP Photo / Gerald Herbert)
NCAA Football: Mississippi at Louisiana State
Dec 19, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Braylon Sanders (13) catches a…
Dec 19, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Braylon Sanders (13) catches a 20 yard touchdown pass against LSU Tigers cornerback Jay Ward (5) at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Mississippi at Louisiana State
Dec 19, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Braylon Sanders (13) catches a…
Dec 19, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Braylon Sanders (13) catches a 20 yard touchdown pass against LSU Tigers cornerback Jay Ward (5) at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Alabama at Louisiana State
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is pursued by LSU Tigers cornerback Jay Ward (5) and defensive lineman Ali Gaye (11) during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Spring Game
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – APRIL 17: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the…
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – APRIL 17: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the second half of the spring game at Tiger Stadium on April 17, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Mississippi v LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass…
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
Mississippi v LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass…
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
Mississippi v LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass…
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 19: Jay Ward # 5 of the LSU Tigers intercepts a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
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