Report: Texas Tech projected starting RB Da'Leon Ward arrested ahead of Week 1 game vs. Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebels and Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to kick off the 2018 season by meeting up in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 1, but Texas Tech will likely do so without a key player.
According to a report from Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, the Red Raiders’ projected starting running back is in trouble with the law.
Per Williams, Da’Leon Ward was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on felony charges of theft:
#TexasTech RB Da'Leon Ward was arrested and booked into Lubbock County Jail about an hour ago, according to the booking sheet. Arresting agency was Lubbock Co. Sheriff's Office. Awaiting word on charges.
— Don Williams (@AJ_DonWilliams) August 21, 2018
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 missed most of the 2017 season with a leg injury, but ran for 428 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2016.
He still hasn’t been officially ruled out for Week 1, but his status for the opener against the Rebels is definitely in doubt after Tuesday’s news.