Derrick Ward

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Derrick Ward
Date of birth	August 30, 1980
Place of birth	Los Angeles, California
Position(s)	RB
College	Fresno State Ottawa University (Kansas)
NFL Draft	2004 / Round 7
Team(s)
2004 2004-present	New York Jets New York Giants

Derrick Ward (born August 30, 1980, in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional football player who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League. A 5'11", 228 lbs. running back from Fresno State and Ottawa University in Kansas, Ward was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Giants off the Jets practice squad on October 13, 2004.

[edit] College

Ward transferred to Ottawa University in Kansas for his final year in 2003, when he set NAIA single-season records with 2,061 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns and 7.8 yards per carry (263 attempts). Also had 47 yards on 4 receptions (11.8-yard avg.) in 10 games at Ottawa. He gained 1,091 yards with 11 touchdowns on 197 carries (5.5-yard avg.) and caught three passes for 49 yards (16.3-yard avg.) in 20 games at Fresno State. Ward was ruled academically ineligible to play at Fresno State in 1998, he earned Freshman All-America honors the following year despite playing with a broken right hand He was limited to only 7 games for the Bulldogs in 2000 due to a knee injury, he saw his Fresno State career end when he was again ruled ineligible to play in 2001 and 2002 due to academics. For his collegiate career, he rushed 460 times for 3,152 yards (6.9-yard avg.) and 39 touchdowns and caught seven passes for 96 yards (13.7-yard avg.).

[edit] High School Years

Ward attended Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, California and was a letterman in football. In football, as a senior, he posted 1,100 rushing yards, 973 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns, was an All-Riverside County choice, won All-CIF honors, was the Team MVP, and was named the Sun Belt League Offensive MVP. As a junior, he was the Team MVP.