IOWA CITY, Iowa — Freshman offensive lineman Ryan Ward has been added to the University of Iowa’s 2012 Leadership Group. Ward becomes the 15th member of the group for the upcoming season.
The group includes five seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, two redshirt freshmen and Ward as a first-year freshman. The purpose of the group is to help formulate policies and enter into team decision-making matters regarding the program.
Ward (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) is a native of New Lenox, Ill., and attended Providence Catholic HS. He was named an Army All-American while earning first team all-state honors as a prep senior and served as a team captain.
Along with Ward, the Leadership Group includes seniors DL Steve Bigach, DB Greg Castillo, OL James Ferentz, DB Micah Hyde and QB James Vandenberg; juniors LS Casey Kreiter, LB James Morris, FB Brad Rogers, and OL Brett Van Sloten; sophomores WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, OL Brandon Scherff and LB Quinton Alston; and redshirt freshmen OL Austin Blythe and QB Jake Rudock.
The Hawkeyes open the 2012 season Saturday, facing Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago (2:32 p.m., ESPNU). Iowa opens the home season Saturday, Sept. 8 against Iowa State (2:30 p.m., BTN).
