Former Western Kentucky CB Nazir Ward adds to Syracuse’s portal haul
Western Kentucky cornerback Nazir Ward has committed to Syracuse, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported Sunday. Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse continued its transfer portal haul by adding Western Kentucky transfer cornerback Nazir Ward, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported Sunday. Ward attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School (Florida), the same school as SU five-star recruit Calvin Russell.
He enters Syracuse off the most productive season of his career, where he played 13 games and logged 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and his only career interception. Before 2025, though, Ward had recorded just 11 total tackles and redshirted his sophomore year. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Ward adds to SU’s defensive overhaul this offseason, especially in the secondary. Starting safeties Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant are out of eligibility, while corners Kaylib Singleton and Ibn McDaniels have found new homes through the portal. Ward will pair with returners like Demetres Samuel Jr. and Braheem Long Jr. in a young unit.
He marks the 12th transfer Syracuse head coach Fran Brown has raked in since the portal officially opened on Jan. 2. Ward joins the likes of corner Amare Snowden (Toledo) and defensive lineman Dillan Fontus (Maryland) along with offensive additions like Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom and Miami (Ohio) receiver Cole Weaver.
Brown’s third portal class as the Orange’s head coach, including Ward, will look to bring the program back from a disastrous 3-9 2025 season.
