JW #24

Jay Ward

Safety · LSU

A versatile LSU defensive back and part of the Tigers' 2019 national championship program, Jay Ward has carved out a steady role for Minnesota as a fourth-round pick turned dependable safety.

Jay Ward played multiple spots in LSU's secondary, from nickel corner to safety, before Minnesota drafted him in the fourth round. He has since developed into a reliable depth piece and special teams contributor for the Vikings, posting a career-high tackle total in his third season.

★ Fourth-round pick, No. 134 overall, 2023 NFL Draft

★ Member of LSU's 2019 national championship team

★ Career-high 27 tackles in 2025

Path to the league

Ward played four seasons at LSU from 2019 to 2022, starting as a freshman contributor on the Tigers' national championship squad before transitioning from cornerback to safety later in his career. As a junior he tallied 71 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions, and as a senior he added 60 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fourth round, 134th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Ward appeared in all 17 games as a rookie in 2023, recording a fumble recovery, and has remained on Minnesota's active roster in each season since. He has been used as a versatile piece in the secondary capable of playing safety or nickel corner, a skill set that carried over from his college days at LSU.

2025 season recap

Ward played all 17 games in 2025, posting career highs of 27 tackles, along with a tackle for loss and a pass deflection. For his career he has totaled 41 combined tackles, two fumble recoveries and a pass deflection across 50 regular-season games with Minnesota.