HOUSTON – As the University of Houston continues it's pursuit of an invitation to join a power five conference, likely the Big 12, their football team continues to draw national attention.
Sports Illustrated revealed its 2016 college football preview covers, and Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is featured on one of the four regional covers.
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Ward has also appeared on preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, the Wuerffel Trophy and the Johnny Unitas Award.
Last season, Ward ranked ninth nationally in completion percentage, completing 232-of-345 passes on the year, while throwing just six interceptions, seventh-best nationally among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts, and broke the UH single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 656 yards set by Lionel Wilson in 1981.
Ward, a Tyler, Texas native, enters the 2016 season after claiming the Earl Campbell Award, presented annually to the top player from the state of Texas.
Last season, he and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson were the only two players in the nation to rush for at least 1,000 yards and pass for at least 2,000 yards.
He became the first Houston quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing the year with 1,108 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 2,828 passing yards with 17 touchdowns.
The Cougars open the season against nationally ranked Oklahoma on September 3 at NRG Stadium.