Notre Dame Football Recruiting
2018 Defensive Back in for Irish Invasion
May 22, 2017
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Notre Dame sent out a few offers in Georgia to defensive backs last week, but the staff was also in Ohio checking out 2018 Solon cornerback Taj Ward. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder had area recruiter Mike Elston swing by his school after having a few conversations.
“He has been telling me they are offering defensive backs in my class and they need corners,” Ward told Irish Sports Daily. “He wanted me to get to Irish Invasion to show how fast I am and to compete.
“I will be there in June.”
While the relationship with the Irish is brand new, it’s clear an offer would catapult Notre Dame high on Ward’s list.
“I just started having contact with Notre Dame,” Ward stated. “I was surprised because not everyone gets a chance to get recruited by Notre Dame.
“If I earned the offer, Notre Dame would be in my top group.”
The three-star prospect holds offers from Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Ohio, and Toledo.
“It’s always a blessing to get an offer,” said Ward. “I have always just wanted the opportunity to play at the next level. All it takes is just one offer.”
Ward moves around in the Solon secondary, but corner is the position he projects at the next level, and it’s a position he feels the most comfortable at.
“I feel I am better at cornerback, but I can play safety too,” Ward stated. “All of my offers are for cornerback right now.”
The Ohio native made one visit to Cincinnati this spring, and it was a productive trip. The Bearcat program is changing under new head coach Luke Fickell, and Ward noticed a new energy in Cincinnati.
“I haven’t really taken any visits,” Ward explained. “I went to Cincinnati’s Spring Game, but that was it. I like what Coach Fickell is bringing to the program. He is turning the program around.”
Ward grew up an Ohio State fan, and much like Notre Dame, the Buckeyes have recently just made contact with the soon to be senior.
“I did grow up an Ohio State fan,” Ward said. “I have been in contact with Ohio State every week for about a month or so.”
The competition at Solon has prepared Ward for the next level, and he is looking for a staff to take him to the next step.
“I am looking to see what the environment around the coaching staff is like and just the vibe they give off to their players,” said Ward.
“He has been telling me they are offering defensive backs in my class and they need corners,” Ward told Irish Sports Daily. “He wanted me to get to Irish Invasion to show how fast I am and to compete.
“I will be there in June.”
While the relationship with the Irish is brand new, it’s clear an offer would catapult Notre Dame high on Ward’s list.
“I just started having contact with Notre Dame,” Ward stated. “I was surprised because not everyone gets a chance to get recruited by Notre Dame.
“If I earned the offer, Notre Dame would be in my top group.”
The three-star prospect holds offers from Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Ohio, and Toledo.
“It’s always a blessing to get an offer,” said Ward. “I have always just wanted the opportunity to play at the next level. All it takes is just one offer.”
Ward moves around in the Solon secondary, but corner is the position he projects at the next level, and it’s a position he feels the most comfortable at.
“I feel I am better at cornerback, but I can play safety too,” Ward stated. “All of my offers are for cornerback right now.”
The Ohio native made one visit to Cincinnati this spring, and it was a productive trip. The Bearcat program is changing under new head coach Luke Fickell, and Ward noticed a new energy in Cincinnati.
“I haven’t really taken any visits,” Ward explained. “I went to Cincinnati’s Spring Game, but that was it. I like what Coach Fickell is bringing to the program. He is turning the program around.”
Ward grew up an Ohio State fan, and much like Notre Dame, the Buckeyes have recently just made contact with the soon to be senior.
“I did grow up an Ohio State fan,” Ward said. “I have been in contact with Ohio State every week for about a month or so.”
The competition at Solon has prepared Ward for the next level, and he is looking for a staff to take him to the next step.
“I am looking to see what the environment around the coaching staff is like and just the vibe they give off to their players,” said Ward.
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