More coming later as I leave Chicago this morning for Detroit to see a couple games tonight including Iowa LB commit Laron Taylor and his Cass Tech teammates vs. Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison. Taylor's teammate Ruben Lile is expected to commit tonight and Todd and I both love where Iowa stands with him.
Ward was listed at 6-5, 282 and just looked great physically. Has the frame to add good weight. He told me after the game Iowa envisions him as an offensive tackle, but he can play all three offensive line positions. This kid is a good athlete and I think we have him underrated right now. That should change in our next rankings. He moves well. Was always the first player off the snap. Can run block and pass block at a high level for high school, but will have to get stronger on the next level. Good feet, finishes his blocks playing to the whistle.
After the game, Ward told me the No. 1 prospect he's trying to get to join him in Iowa City is Top247 DL Faith Ekakitie, who is from nearby Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy. He said that Faith was excited about Iowa's defensive line tradition. Faith has told me the same thing in the past.
Ward added that he believes he'll red-shirt his first year at Iowa.
Again, more coming when I make it back home to Indianapolis. Look for updates on Taylor and Lile.