Channing Ward

Channing Ward
No. 71, 95
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1992-09-17) September 17, 1992 (age 32)
Aberdeen, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:310 lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:Aberdeen (MS)
College:Mississippi
Undrafted:2016
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Channing Jevante Ward (born September 17, 1992) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Mississippi. Ward was coaches the defensive line at New Albany High School in New Albany, Mississippi but he now coaches at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland (Mississippi).

Early life

He was born in 1992 in Aberdeen, Mississippi to parents Bob Evans and Cora Ward. He played football at Aberdeen High as a defensive end. Ward's high school career included numerous awards and recognition. Among his distinctions Ward was listed No. 2 on The Clarion-Ledger's Top Ten Most Wanted List. The Ledger also awarded him first-team All-State honors during his junior and senior years.[1]

College career

Ward committed to the University of Mississippi and first played in 2012. As a defensive end on special teams, Ward played every game during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and played as a backup defensive end on special teams during the 2014 season. After the 2015 season, Ward finished with 4 game starts and career highs of 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 3 passes defended. While at Mississippi, Ward majored in Criminal Justice[2]

Professional career

Ward signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2016.[3] He made the Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster, playing in five games with one start over nine weeks and recording five tackles before being released on November 16, 2016.[4] He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[5] He was promoted back to the active roster on December 29, 2016.[6]

On September 5, 2017, Ward was waived by the Buccaneers and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 14.[7][8] He was promoted to the active roster on December 20, 2017.[9]

On July 25, 2018, Ward was waived by the Buccaneers with a non-football injury designation after suffering a torn patellar tendon.[10] He was released on September 19, 2018.

In October 2019, Ward was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the 2020 XFL Draft.[11] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[12]

References

  1. ^ Profile on Ole Miss Sports.com
  2. ^ Profile on Ole Miss Sports.com
  3. ^ "Surprise: Rookie DL Channing Ward says he's made cut with Bucs". Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Philipse, Sander (November 16, 2016). "Buccaneers claim DT Sealver Siliga off waivers". BucsNation.com.
  5. ^ "Buccaneers Re-Sign DE Channing Ward To Practice Squad, Cut DT Rodney Coe". November 18, 2016.
  6. ^ Smith, Scott (December 29, 2016). "Channing Ward Returns to Active Roster". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  7. ^ Smith, Scott (September 5, 2017). "Buccaneers Add Will Clarke to D-Line". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  8. ^ Smith, Scott (September 14, 2017). "Channing Ward Returns to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017.
  9. ^ Smith, Scott (December 20, 2017). "Standout Rookies Among Five Bucs Headed to IR". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017.
  10. ^ Auman, Greg (July 25, 2018). "Bucs waived injured DT Channing Ward, add OT Jerry Ugokwe". TampaBay.com.
  11. ^ Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  12. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.