Texas Tech
Texas Tech RB Da’Leon Ward Cleared Of All Charges
In a wild turn of events, Da’Leon Ward has been cleared of all charges.
EDITORS NOTE: Instead of publishing a new article, we have decided to update the original story. In today’s day and age, where everything lives forever online, we felt like it wouldn’t be fair to Ward and his reputation to have a story be out there unedited.
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Less than 24 hours after being arrested on felony theft charges, Da’Leon Ward’s attorney has confirmed that all charges against Ward have been dropped.
Texas Tech running back, Da'Leon Ward, will have no pending indictment by the end of the day. All charges will be dismissed.
— Tray Payne (@lawyerlubbock) August 22, 2018
Da'Leon Ward's case has been dismissed. pic.twitter.com/EhOSlAyjAM
— Tray Payne (@lawyerlubbock) August 22, 2018
How you go through a 9-month investigation and issue an arrest warrant just to have all charges dismissed a day after an arrest? Especially, such a high-profile arrest that can negatively impact their career?
Regardless, this is great news for Red Raider Nation as it looks like Ward won’t miss any time on the field.
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It’s being reported that Ward was arrested on Tuesday by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s office. Ward’s arrest was the result of the sheriff’s office serving a warrant that was issued back in June. That warrant appears to have stemmed from an investigation into a string of thefts back in November when three cell phones were stolen from the Tech Student Recreation Center. Ward is being charged with theft between $2,500 – $30,000, a state felony.
The charge against #TexasTech RB Da'Leon Ward is theft between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony. https://t.co/TuTsyoTKqA
— Don Williams (@AJ_DonWilliams) August 21, 2018
Ward was projected to be the Red Raiders starting running back after redshirting last season to focus on academics. In 2016, he played in eight games as a true freshman and recorded 428 yards on 103 attempts, and three touchdowns.
With Ward looking like he won’t be seeing the field in Lubbock any time soon, if ever again, primary rushing duties will most likely fall on senior Tre King. Ward and King had been the leaders in the running back group up to this point. King transferred to Texas Tech from Hutchinson Community College before last season, and rushed for 623 yards and five touchdowns in 2017.
The concern for the Red Raiders is whether King can be an every-down back for the entire season. Coach Kingsbury will now have to lean a little more heavily on freshman running back Ta’Zhawn Henry and SaRoderick Thompson to give King some support. Both freshman have looked good this fall, and both were already like to receive a few carries this season; especially with the new redshirt rule.
This is definitely a blow to the Red Raider offense, and one that’s particularly frustrating for the coaching staff, because unlike an unfortunate injury, this could have been avoided had Ward just kept his nose clean. Although, it’s important to remember that Ward is innocent until proven guilty.
