LSU defensive back Jay Ward declares for 2023 NFL Draft

LSU defensive back Jay Ward will forgo a fifth season with the Tigers and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday via Twitter.

A full-time starter for the past three seasons, Ward originally committed to the Tigers in 2019 as a three-star prospect out of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia. He ranked as the No. 47 cornerback and No. 521 overall prospect in the class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.

Although Ward was listed as a cornerback coming out of high school, he also played safety for the Tigers. After starting three of LSU’s final four games as a sophomore, Ward moved into a permanent starting roles in 2021. He had a breakout season that year, finishing with 69 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defended and a forced fumble.

Forever LSU 🤞🏾💛 pic.twitter.com/Bc7BIO1Yb0

— JAY WARD ⁴ (@JWARD_4) December 7, 2022

This season, the defensive back recorded 57 tackles, one interception, four passes defended and also recovered a fumble that he returned for a touchdown. According to ESPN’s current projections, Ward ranks as the fourth-best safety in the NFL Draft. He will have an opportunity to prove that correct in both the Senior Bowl and later the NFL combine.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.