University of Houston Athletics
Football Feature: Defined by Example
9/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
You hear a loud and thunderous roar as the sun makes its way up the sky in an early August morning during Houston's fall camp. The roar comes from defensive end Cameron Malveaux, one of four captains of the Houston Football team. Malveaux, a returning starter on the defensive side is one of the more vocal leaders but make no mistake, a young man by the name of Greg Ward Jr. also leads this team onto the gridiron this season.
Some say leaders are born not made, loud, vocal, the get-in-your-face type. These characteristics don't describe nor define Houston's senior signal caller, the undisputed leader of the team. His 5-foot-11, 185 lb. stature doesn't look of the average FBS college football quarterback either. Ward does however put a check the box of the most importance, leading by example.
Ward's heart and play does most of the talking. Just ask Temple University's head coach Matt Rhule, who found out first hand last year in the American Athletic Conference Championship game. "He was the difference for them. "In that game, he made two or three runs where we had a defender right there in a position to tackle him and he just made a guy miss and made a big play."
After a historic 2015 season in which the cougars won an American Conference Championship and capped off a 13-1 year with a win over perennial power Florida State, many wouldn't think there's much more to ask of the young quarterback. Then again, many are not aware of the way second-year head coach Tom Herman runs this Houston Football program.
Even though Coach Herman doesn't spend as much time with his quarterback as he did with others when he was an offensive coordinator in the past, he still has a lot of input and constructive criticism that he shoots in the direction of his QB pushing him to be the best he can be. "At a certain point humility's great, but dude you've got to take charge of this team. You're the quarterback, man. He's getting there. Much better this last spring than ever before."
While Ward's coach is quick to point to an area that can be improved, he also gives credit when credit is due.
"Greg is, he's a really, really hard worker," Herman said. "He's a tremendous talent. But credit to his family, he was raised extremely humble, extremely soft spoken, kind of one of those be-seen-and-not-heard deals."
Ward's hard work seems to be paying off. Coach Herman wasn't the only one to notice improvement this past spring. Offensive coordinator Major Applewhite also noticed improvements in his quarterback.
"The more he's been around (the media) asking him questions and putting him on the spot, whether it be local, regional or national, it's helped him kind of get out of his shell a little bit and grow up as a leader," Applewhite said. "Seeing him take strides that way this summer and how he responded to his teammates in our offseason workouts, he's done a really good job, and now it's time to put it to the test this fall."
Due to this demeanor, which Coach Herman had pointed out needed to be improved, outsiders looking in may very well question Ward's role as a leader on the team. If you were to ask a teammate, they will be sure you do not get Ward's status as a leader twisted.
Wide receiver Chance Allen, one of Ward's top targets on the outside had a lot of great things to say about the QB.
"He's maturing as a quarterback and is confident in his arm. We know what he can do with his legs, but he is wiser this year. He takes his time in the pocket, goes through his reads, and grew up as a person and man. He has a better attitude and attacks the game one day at a time."
He also gave insight to Ward's personality.
"Off the field he is goofy and knows how to have fun, but on the field he's a whole different person. He takes the game serious and knows when it's appropriate to turn it on and off. He always makes sure that everyone is in place and ready to play, and I look at him like a big brother. Coach (Major) Applewhite is doing a great job grooming him."
After a long offseason filled with many accolades and much national recognition, Ward and his team are prepared for the 2016 season. After the 2015 team put together a monumental year for the University of Houston, the 2016 team has the University and City of Houston excited and dreaming big this year.
Ward won't let this team buy into the hype though. The focus for this team is to go 1-0 in the task at hand whether it be a game, practice or schoolwork. With Ward's work ethic and vastly-improved leadership, expect the emergence of a leader to continue.
By: Brent Williams, Athletics Communications
