Given chance to play quarterback, Ward has developed into a Heisman Trophy candidate

Connecticut v Houston Greg Ward Jr. is off to a strong start statistically as a senior, having completed 99 of 140 passes (70.7 percent) for 1,325 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 178 yards and five scores. (Bob Levey / Getty Images) Greg Ward Jr. was the third-ranked quarterback in the state of Texas as a senior at John Tyler High. However, all the major recruiting services rated the youngster as only a three-star recruit and most of the Power Five conference schools wanted him as an athlete.

Ward, who led Class 4A with 4,202 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, chose Houston because he wanted a chance to play quarterback. As a true freshman for the Cougars, Ward served as a backup…