Colorado University Athletics
From Carrollton To Boulder, Alex Ward Is Ready To Work
July 14, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Playing against older competition has never intimidated Colorado freshman wide receiver Alex Ward.
Ward began playing football in the third grade, often lining up against older players. Competing against sixth graders gave him an indication that he possessed the ability and confidence to advance in the sport.
"I was playing up and doing pretty well," Ward said. "I thought about what I could do if I was playing with my own age group. That was when I realized I had a chance."
That belief grew stronger when Ward received his first college scholarship offer in the eighth grade. The Carrollton, Georgia, native later reclassified to the 2026 recruiting class, enrolled early at Colorado and participated in spring practices.
Ward arrived in Boulder as a consensus four-star prospect after playing his final high school season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Rivals rated him as the No. 18 athlete in the class, while ESPN ranked him as the nation's No. 9 athlete. The 247Sports Composite placed Ward at No. 295 nationally, and the Rivals Industry Ranking listed him at No. 257 overall.
"I wouldn't say it has been a big adjustment because I've been doing it all my life," Ward said. "Going to IMG helped because we ran a college-type schedule. Everybody has pretty much always been older than me, so this feels normal."
Ward made the decision to reclassify with his family's support. It also allowed him to play alongside his brother, Christian, a freshman wide receiver at Colorado.
"My family talked about it a lot and prayed about it," Ward said. "I thought it would be cool to play with him and for us to be on the same page going through college. Hopefully, we can get to the NFL together."
Ward and Christian grew up in a football-centered family. Their father took them to the track, where they ran stadium steps, worked on footwork and developed the speed that became one of Alex's defining traits.
Ward played seven games as a sophomore at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. He recorded nine receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns, along with 18 tackles, two interceptions and one sack.
"Playing defensive back helped me understand coverages and how a DB's stance can tell you the coverage or how he wants to play in press man," Ward said. "It translates to reading coverages and understanding body language."
Ward later transferred to IMG Academy, where he continued playing on both sides of the ball. Competing in a program filled with highly recruited players reinforced the importance of daily preparation.
"You see so many talented kids who don't really put in the work," Ward said. "Then you see the people who are outworking everybody eventually get their opportunity and start making plays."
"The older players have shown me that it's not just about talent," Ward said. "It's about being focused, doing the little things right, showing up and being consistent every day."
Consistency is what Ward hopes to bring to head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' program. Even as one of the youngest players on the roster, he believes he can provide energy and lead through his habits.
"I can bring energy and focus on being there every day," Ward said. "I want to show up every day and lead by example."
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver ran the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds and the 200 in 21.9 while competing in track and field. Ward takes pride in his speed, but understands that track speed differs from playing fast on the football field.
"Track speed is more straight ahead," Ward said. "Football speed is about how fast you can get somewhere in two or three steps. It's about lateral quickness and a lot more."
"I can play in the slot because I'm quick and fast," Ward said. "I can go outside and get jump balls. I can be a deep threat, and in the slot I can create mismatches."
Spring practices introduced Ward to the mental demands of college football. He is working to improve his understanding of defensive disguises and details within Colorado's offense.
"Everybody is smarter, so you really have to be on your game," Ward said. "Every movement, every step and your body language can tell somebody something. They can read it and make a play."
Ward will continue developing alongside Christian. The brothers have competed since childhood, challenging each other to see who could record the most yards or touchdowns.
"We've been competing since we were little," Ward said. "Anytime we can get a rep against each other, we're going to take it. We're always competing to see who is going to be the top dog."
Colorado's season opener in Atlanta will allow Ward to return to his home state and play before family members and former classmates.
"I'm excited to go back home and play in front of the hometown," Ward said. "I'll have family members and friends from high school coming out. I'm ready for that."
Boulder has also made a strong impression on Ward, particularly when he saw the mountains for the first time while entering the city.
"It was pretty," Ward said. "When I'm done with football, I could see myself coming back here, retiring, building a house and investing in some real estate."
Ward is also eager to experience more of Colorado away from football. An avid fisherman, he hopes to find a few local fishing spots and explore the mountains with his teammates.
Away from football, Ward describes himself as shy until he becomes comfortable. He enjoys movies, fishing and studying professional players, including Odell Beckham Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
"I'm very shy, but I can be outgoing," Ward said. "It depends on if I'm comfortable with you. I'm talkative, funny and just chill and relaxed."
Ward hopes to find a Colorado fishing spot and explore the state with teammates.
"Colorado fans can expect me to show up every day and be consistent," Ward said. "When game time comes, they can be excited because plays are going to be made. My goal is to come out here and be the best player to ever come out of CU."
Alex Ward and the Buffaloes will open the season in prime-time Thursday, Sept. 3, in Atlanta against Georgia Tech on ESPN.
Colorado will then return to Boulder the following week to open its home slate against Weber State on Sept. 12, giving Ward his first opportunity to run out at Folsom Field as he begins the next chapter of his football journey.
Buff fans have several ticket options available for the 2026 season, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
Ward began playing football in the third grade, often lining up against older players. Competing against sixth graders gave him an indication that he possessed the ability and confidence to advance in the sport.
"I was playing up and doing pretty well," Ward said. "I thought about what I could do if I was playing with my own age group. That was when I realized I had a chance."
That belief grew stronger when Ward received his first college scholarship offer in the eighth grade. The Carrollton, Georgia, native later reclassified to the 2026 recruiting class, enrolled early at Colorado and participated in spring practices.
Ward arrived in Boulder as a consensus four-star prospect after playing his final high school season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Rivals rated him as the No. 18 athlete in the class, while ESPN ranked him as the nation's No. 9 athlete. The 247Sports Composite placed Ward at No. 295 nationally, and the Rivals Industry Ranking listed him at No. 257 overall.
"I wouldn't say it has been a big adjustment because I've been doing it all my life," Ward said. "Going to IMG helped because we ran a college-type schedule. Everybody has pretty much always been older than me, so this feels normal."
Ward made the decision to reclassify with his family's support. It also allowed him to play alongside his brother, Christian, a freshman wide receiver at Colorado.
"My family talked about it a lot and prayed about it," Ward said. "I thought it would be cool to play with him and for us to be on the same page going through college. Hopefully, we can get to the NFL together."
Ward and Christian grew up in a football-centered family. Their father took them to the track, where they ran stadium steps, worked on footwork and developed the speed that became one of Alex's defining traits.
Ward played seven games as a sophomore at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. He recorded nine receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns, along with 18 tackles, two interceptions and one sack.
"Playing defensive back helped me understand coverages and how a DB's stance can tell you the coverage or how he wants to play in press man," Ward said. "It translates to reading coverages and understanding body language."
Ward later transferred to IMG Academy, where he continued playing on both sides of the ball. Competing in a program filled with highly recruited players reinforced the importance of daily preparation.
"You see so many talented kids who don't really put in the work," Ward said. "Then you see the people who are outworking everybody eventually get their opportunity and start making plays."
"The older players have shown me that it's not just about talent," Ward said. "It's about being focused, doing the little things right, showing up and being consistent every day."
Consistency is what Ward hopes to bring to head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' program. Even as one of the youngest players on the roster, he believes he can provide energy and lead through his habits.
"I can bring energy and focus on being there every day," Ward said. "I want to show up every day and lead by example."
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver ran the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds and the 200 in 21.9 while competing in track and field. Ward takes pride in his speed, but understands that track speed differs from playing fast on the football field.
"Track speed is more straight ahead," Ward said. "Football speed is about how fast you can get somewhere in two or three steps. It's about lateral quickness and a lot more."
"I can play in the slot because I'm quick and fast," Ward said. "I can go outside and get jump balls. I can be a deep threat, and in the slot I can create mismatches."
Spring practices introduced Ward to the mental demands of college football. He is working to improve his understanding of defensive disguises and details within Colorado's offense.
"Everybody is smarter, so you really have to be on your game," Ward said. "Every movement, every step and your body language can tell somebody something. They can read it and make a play."
Ward will continue developing alongside Christian. The brothers have competed since childhood, challenging each other to see who could record the most yards or touchdowns.
"We've been competing since we were little," Ward said. "Anytime we can get a rep against each other, we're going to take it. We're always competing to see who is going to be the top dog."
Colorado's season opener in Atlanta will allow Ward to return to his home state and play before family members and former classmates.
"I'm excited to go back home and play in front of the hometown," Ward said. "I'll have family members and friends from high school coming out. I'm ready for that."
Boulder has also made a strong impression on Ward, particularly when he saw the mountains for the first time while entering the city.
"It was pretty," Ward said. "When I'm done with football, I could see myself coming back here, retiring, building a house and investing in some real estate."
Ward is also eager to experience more of Colorado away from football. An avid fisherman, he hopes to find a few local fishing spots and explore the mountains with his teammates.
Away from football, Ward describes himself as shy until he becomes comfortable. He enjoys movies, fishing and studying professional players, including Odell Beckham Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
"I'm very shy, but I can be outgoing," Ward said. "It depends on if I'm comfortable with you. I'm talkative, funny and just chill and relaxed."
Ward hopes to find a Colorado fishing spot and explore the state with teammates.
"Colorado fans can expect me to show up every day and be consistent," Ward said. "When game time comes, they can be excited because plays are going to be made. My goal is to come out here and be the best player to ever come out of CU."
Alex Ward and the Buffaloes will open the season in prime-time Thursday, Sept. 3, in Atlanta against Georgia Tech on ESPN.
Colorado will then return to Boulder the following week to open its home slate against Weber State on Sept. 12, giving Ward his first opportunity to run out at Folsom Field as he begins the next chapter of his football journey.
Buff fans have several ticket options available for the 2026 season, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
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