Off the field, USF free safety Tavin Ward barely makes a sound. When football doesn't demand his time — and he is all about preparation and a legendary film-watcher — you'll probably find him fishing.
Back home in Fort Myers, the family has a boat. They'll take it out, maybe over to Sanibel Island, with Ward, his father, Winfred, maybe his older brother and a friend. If the fish aren't biting, that's OK, too.
"Like they say, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,'' Ward said. "I'm good just being out there, doing nothing, chilling. I'd say I'm very, very chill.''
That's an understatement, according to USF coaches and players who corroborate Ward's casual off-field demeanor.
"He's not a naturally vocal person, just a go-with-the-flow kind of guy,'' defensive pass game coordinator/safeties coach James Rowe said. "But on the field, Tavin becomes exactly what we need him to be — and that's the quarterback of our defense. He's a great communicator out there.''
Fans probably consider linebackers Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler as USF's defensive leaders — and that's true. But Ward is connected with them at the hip as the last line of defense, the player who gets everyone lined up properly and usually the guy who has coverage on the opponent's slot receiver.
When the Bulls (2-1) wrap up September with Saturday afternoon's matchup against Football Championship Subdivision opponent South Carolina State (2-1) at Raymond James Stadium, you can expect Ward to be in the middle of the action.
As usual.
"Tavin has come miles and miles,'' defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said. "He has really good range in the post (at free safety) and he's physical. The thing I love is he's so steady, so consistent. He has listened to (James) Rowe's teaching and he knows how to translate that to the younger guys.''
Ward wears No. 2, just like another former defensive back from North Fort Myers High School — Deion Sanders. When Ward was a high-school freshman, he played for Sanders on a seven-on-seven team during a national tournament at IMG Academy.
Ward was a two-way star at North Fort Myers — a quarterback who rolled up 2,511 all-purpose yards and a cornerback — then he matriculated to Palmetto Prep in South Carolina to boost his stock. He arrived at USF as a cornerback in 2022 and that's where he stayed through most of head coach Alex Golesh's first season in 2023.
"But we needed some range back there (free safety) and Tavin didn't even flinch when we asked him to do it,'' Orlando said. "We liked the way he tackled in space. He had a good skillset at corner, but it was even better in the back. He was vocal. He knew what he was doing back there.''
"Tavin definitely doesn't get enough credit or notice for what he does,'' cornerback De'Shawn Rucker said. "Him even taking that transition from corner to safety, I feel like a lot of people would put their head down and say, 'Man, that's tough.' But Tavin just went there and he loves it. He brings us such great poise. We can depend on that guy.''
Ward, who led USF in interceptions last season (three) and was the team's second-best tackler (62), saw great value in the position change.
"It was very smooth,'' said Ward (6-foot-1, 197 pounds), the second youngest of five siblings. "At corner, I was under Coach DVD (Demarcus Van Dyke), who was a player in the league (NFL). Now I'm with Coach Rowe, who coached in the league. I have a lot of knowledge and a lot of versatility.
"I don't feel like I've lost a step at all. I feel like I've done nothing but get better as a player. I'd say it's a big responsibility back there and there's a mental aspect that goes into it. All it takes is one person and the coverage is blown, so I've got to get everybody lined up. And if it comes my way, I've got to get that guy on the ground. It's all about preparation and time management. Everybody gets the same 24 hours. I want to make mine count, so that's why I'm taking care of my body, doing schoolwork or hanging in the film room. There's no time for anything else.''
The ultra-chill Tavin Ward?
It's true — but only to a point.
"Tavin Ward is a truth-teller and a pure leader,'' safety Fred Gaskin said. "He's a leader on and off the field, but especially in the meeting room. When it comes to just about anything, he'll be the first to speak his mind. He's not afraid to let someone know how he feels. If it's him against everyone, he's going to stand alone and make sure things are done right.
"On top of all that, he's a playmaker. You can call him a chill dude, but he makes a big impact on our defense.''
–#GoBulls–
