NORMAN — Even as a middle schooler, D.J. Ward was a noticeable force on the football field.
It's been nearly 10 years, but Lawton coach Randy Breeze still remembers walking over to the middle school to watch Ward practice in seventh and eighth grade. Back then, Ward was playing middle linebacker, but Breeze knew as soon as he saw him that Ward's true calling was on the defensive line.
As soon as Ward made it to ninth grade, Breeze moved him to his true position. With his long arms and off-the-charts athleticism, Ward was a natural fit.