An Ivy League commit to Columbia since April, Ward is another verified PRZ Rankings Riser who had a standout senior campaign. This kid is QUICK on tape, noticeably always a step or two ahead of whatever DB is trying to cover him. He’s not just athletic either. Ward brings solid route running to the table and flashes quick hips that benefit him on both sides of the ball. He can often make the first defender miss and holds onto the ball through big hits. I love Wards’ potential at the next level, and can’t wait to see what happens to him in the FCS.

The second half of Apple Valley’s explosive and high-profile 2026 tandem, DB Tylan Ward Jr Tylan Ward Jr 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Apple Valley | 2026 State MN . has long been on the radar of big name programs such as Kansas State and NDSU, the latter of whom has seen Ward Jr. visit thrice this school year, most recently last month for a junior day. Ward Jr. has also earned camp invites from Northern Iowa and South Dakota State, with Jamestown and Sioux Falls reaching out as well. The junior had a good showing when PRzMN checked out some section final action this past November, laying some big hits against St. Thomas Academy ball carriers and shutting down his half of the field while adding some juice to the offensive side of the ball as well. Ward finished his junior season with 28 tackles, 3 PBUs, 2 TFLs, 1 INT, and 20 catches for 241 yards and 2 TDs as a WR.

As a cornerback, Ward Jr. is instinctive and patient in coverage, displaying solid footwork, and he has the body control to read and not overextend or opening the gate while covering for himself either way at the top of the receiver’s route. He does a good job of consistently staying square and cutting off a receiver’s route and landmarks, and he can compete on a variety of different routes and does a good job of staying in a receiver’s hip pocket and locating the football. Plus, Ward Jr. has the speed to carry wideouts deep, and he’s comfortable being left on an island against Minnesota 5A opponents. Plus, the junior is quick after the catch and owns good burst, and has a good foundation of varsity prep experience as a defensive back. PRzMN is interested to see how things shake out for Ward Jr. and his fellow Apple Valley Eagle Q Barnslater Q Barnslater 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR/DB Apple Valley | 2026 State MN this spring.

Apple Valley is home to quite the pair of 2026 athletes, and one half of the two-headed monster is really seeing his recruiting stock rise thanks to his 2024 play as a junior. Ward Jr. has received three different customized recruiting graphics from the Kansas State Wildcats and gameday invites from South Dakota State and North Dakota State, both of whom he visited in October. A three-sport athlete who is a point guard on the Eagles‘ basketball team and competes in the 300M hurdles and the 200M for the track team, Ward Jr. brings that functional athleticism to the CB position, where athleticism is much needed and always at a premium. Ward Jr. has great technique, great hips, and is overall sticky, showing the ability to break up passes and shut down receivers in both off-man coverage and when pressing. He demonstrates good footwork, patience, eye discipline, loose hips, and stays square and doesn’t bite on route fakes. I love how he keeps the gate closed and times his punch out well when pressing, and he is physical with his punch and when he gets his hands on receivers, sometimes completely moving them off their marks. Ward Jr. has the speed to stay on top of receivers going vertical, stays in-phase well, competes at the catch point and knows how to use his length to help break up passes. Plus, he demonstrates splash play ability as a receiver and can win contested catches through contact and big hits, and is an explosive tackler he puts his pads on a ball carrier. I’m quite bullish on the technique, hips, physicality combination, strengthened even further by some noticeable and significant athleticism. No wonder he’s hearing from such a variety of D1s. Could be a fruitful offseason for the Apple Valley junior.