Texans' Jimmie Ward Details NFL Journey
The Houston Texans added a few members of the San Francisco 49ers organization this offseason, as defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans became the head coach, Bobby Slowik remained the offensive coordinator, and later on, safety Jimmie Ward signed a deal.
Since arriving, Ward has impressed with his leadership towards the talented secondary. He's done well on the field too, as he's expected to be a starting safety alongside rising star Jalen Pitre.
The Texans' new addition recently detailed his football upbringing, stating that he started playing the game at nine years old and never stopped.
"I played football at W.P. Davidson High School, in Mobile, Alabama, for four years," Ward told houstontexans.com. "I became a starting linebacker my sophomore year and played all the way up to my senior year. I then ended up getting switched to safety."
Ward explained that he only received two college offers out of high school. He committed to Southern Illinois, but later de-committed and went to Northern Illinois because he had "a lot of family" near there. Nevertheless, Ward questioned why he never received Power Five offers in the first place.
"A lot of the guys I played against were getting offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, USC and all these big schools," Ward said. "But I was like like 'man, I played against him and I dominated him. Why am I not getting these offers?'"
Ward assumed the main reason why he was underlooked was due to his "small" size, but he wasn't worried about losing out on his NFL dream.
"Watching my competition go to the league and getting drafted, that's when I knew I had a shot because I knew how good I was."
Ward started his final three years at Northern Illinois, recording nearly 100 tackles each season and hauling in seven interceptions when he was a senior. The 49ers saw a ton of potential in the small kid from the small school and selected him with the 30th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
"I never forgot that day," Ward said. "Trent Baalke, who was the (general manager) of the 49ers at the time, I remember him calling my phone saying 'You want to be a member of the San Francisco 49ers?' and I said 'Oh yeah man that's cool.' (After the call) I was like 'Golly! I get to play in Cali!' I didn't go to sleep that whole day."
Ward was a crucial member of the 49ers organization throughout his nine seasons donning the scarlet and gold. That said, he suffered multiple injuries last season and San Francisco went 11-1 with him in the lineup (including Week 5) and 2-3 without him.
Now in Houston, Ward is aiming to bring his "aggressive" energy, and his fellow safety has already taken notice.
“We're a great tandem,” Pitre said of him and Ward in late July. “When I can go out there and play with somebody that’s that good and plays with his hair on fire – a guy that wants to hit."
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