Isaiah Ward has one clear goal for this season at Washington: stay on the field for all of it.
The fifth-year EDGE has spent the offseason getting his mind and body ready for a full run with the Huskies, and he’s eager to see what that work looks like once the games start. He said he’s up to 240 pounds now, a small bump from the 235 he was playing at before.
Ward said he’s looking forward to the full 12-game regular season, but the opener has already grabbed his attention.
“I’m ready to see what our team has got. We got a lot of great players, a lot of great coaches.
The coaches are really putting in on this and I appreciate the coaches, how hard they’re making us work. Our players, we're going to see once we get on that field.
I'm a little excited. The Apple Cup, first game, it's going to be exciting.”
For now, the anticipation is building toward the return of pads and contact. Ward said the whole group is itching for that first real collision after a long stretch without it.
“We're all excited. We can't wait.
We're about to do OTAs right now. We're going to see how that goes.
I just hear everybody talking. They need to put them pads on.
It's been too long.”
Ward also pointed to the young talent Washington has brought in, mentioning Kodi Greene and several freshmen he believes are ready to work: Jordan Clay, Ramzak (Fruean), J.D. (Hill), and David (Schwerzel).
“Our coach has done a great recruiting. We have a lot of talented freshmen -- Jordan Clay, Ramzak (Fruean), J.D. (Hill), David (Schwerzel)-- all those guys are ready to work.”
When asked about the toughest offensive line matchup in practice, Ward didn’t single out one player. He said the entire group has been difficult to deal with.
“I wouldn't say there's one. They're all pretty tough to go against.
They all have a great chemistry going on and they all know what they're doing. They're mostly vets and they're really hard to play against.”
Ward also said he can’t point to one defender as the most improved because the whole team has taken a step forward.
“Most improved? I can't really say, because our whole team has been making big strides.
As a team, we've been making big strides. I can't say individually, but as a whole, we've been making big strides.”
One game stands out on the schedule for the California native: USC.
“I’m from California, so USC for sure. It is my city, so I had to talk to a couple guys that are natives here. All my teammates are great, so they're going to help me out any way that's possible, too.?”
He has already played in the Coliseum before, too, going there as a freshman at Arizona in a game against Caleb Williams.
“Yes, sir. It's great.
I played my freshman year (at Arizona) when we played against Caleb Williams. We went there, and that was a great game.
Nothing could beat this Husky Stadium right here, I'm not going to lie. We've got the greatest stadium of all time.
Ward said grass feels a little better underfoot, though he didn’t make too much of the difference.
“On grass, you feel better. On grass, you feel more smooth, a little less 'chippiness' through your feet.
Honestly, when you're out there, you can't tell too big of a difference. Maybe landing on the grass is a little softer, but that's about it.”
What he likes most about being in Seattle, though, goes beyond the field.
“I love the people. We have some great people in Seattle.
The city of Seattle is great to us. I feel like just the people I've met on the way have really shaped me to the person I am today.
Some of the guys had golf outings in the offseason.”
His offseason wasn’t packed with anything wild. Mostly, it was time at home with his two cats.
“I didn't really do nothing crazy. I have two cats at home and I've been playing with them.
Making sure they're all good. You have two cats?
Most of the guys, they come to my house. They come see the cats.”
That usually means hanging out, watching movies, playing games, and spending time on his patio.
“We just hang out. We'll be watching movies.
I've got a nice patio outside. I mean, nothing too much.
We're playing games -- Madden, 2K.”
Ward has also spent time with the offensive line group, including one memorable steak dinner cooked by John Mills.
“I made it over once. They do make great steaks.”
“ John Mills, 'Millsie'. He grills so great.
I didn't think anybody could grill as great as him on the team. His steak is top tier.
He knows what he's doing.”
And no, he’s not taking shots at “Mugging with Mills.”
“No, I think that's great. 'Mugging with Mills' is great.
I feel like that's for him. Oh man, it's amazing.
I love seeing him do that.”
As for what fans should expect from him this fall, Ward kept it simple.
“Playing all the games, straining every play and making big plays for you guys. That's all I want to do.”
He also knows exactly what it sounds like when Husky Stadium gets rolling after a big defensive play.
“You know, maybe after the play, I hear it. But it's so loud. It's like your ears almost start bleeding once you start making the play.
And the loudest he’s heard it?
“I think that first sack against UC Davis, that was the loudest. There's so many people here. That was probably the loudest I've heard it.”
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Washington's pitch has some familiar footing, too. The Huskies already hold commitments from two of his Desert Edge High School teammates in the 2027 class, which gives the program a built-in connection as it continues to push for future frontline help. In a recruiting cycle that still has plenty of time to unfold, Washington appears to have positioned itself well in the chase for a player who could become one of the headliners of that class. [Read more 🡒]