Get ready for a blast from the past at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh! Super Bowl champion and former Oregon Ducks star safety T.J. Ward is set to take the stage to announce draft selections for the Denver Broncos. It's a fitting role for a player whose hard-hitting style and leadership made him a fan favorite in both college and the pros.

Ward's legacy at Oregon is cemented by his relentless play. From 2005 to 2009, he patrolled the secondary in Eugene, amassing 190 tackles and leading the team with 101 stops in 2008, earning PAC-10 Honorable Mention honors. His college career was a perfect preview of the intensity he would bring to the NFL.

Drafted in the second round by Cleveland, Ward truly hit his stride after signing with the Denver Broncos. There, he became a defensive cornerstone, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2013 to 2015. The pinnacle came in Super Bowl 50, where his Broncos defense famously stifled the Carolina Panthers, securing a championship ring for Ward and cementing that unit's legendary status.

After a career that concluded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017, Ward retired with impressive totals: over 600 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a knack for creating turnovers. Now, he returns to the spotlight in a new capacity, representing the Broncos as they build their future.

The Broncos hold seven picks after the first day of the draft, and there's a special possibility in the air. With several Ducks eligible this year, Ward might just have the honor of calling a fellow Oregon alum to the NFL stage, creating a full-circle moment for the program. It's a reminder of the lasting impact and brotherhood forged on the field.