RICHMOND, Ky. – For Eastern Kentucky University's defensive back, Jaheim Ward, being in position is everything, trying to always be in the right place at the right time.
 
That is something that has always been important for the Moultrie, Georgia, native who first found his place on the football field through his family.
 
"I started playing when I was very young with all of my brothers," said Ward. "When you have three brothers, you are always competing, and I think that's where I got my edge initially and love for the game."
 
The youngest of four, with all three of his brothers (Johnny, DJ, and Jay) having played in college, including Jay being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jaheim has no shortage of those willing to give some advice.
 
"We are all very close, and I know they watch every play of every game," said Ward. "After every game, they will text me and tell me that I'm not doing something I should be, or that I'm slightly out of position… just always helping me get better. I am really blessed to have them; it fuels me, and it keeps us together as well."
 
The family coaching helped Jaheim become a GHSA 1-7A All-Region selection in his senior year of high school, but the two-star recruit's journey to find his next place would not be direct to Richmond.
 
Coming out of Colquitt County High School, the now redshirt senior initially chose to go to the Colonels' rival in Austin Peay to begin his collegiate career.
 
Playing in Clarksville for three seasons, Ward would then find himself looking to make a change, seeking a bigger opportunity.
 
"When I was at Austin Peay, it got to be a little difficult," said Ward. "I was playing, but I felt like I was good enough to start, and I wanted that challenge and opportunity."
 
So, with two seasons of eligibility left, Jaheim entered the transfer portal, and as always, turned to his brothers for insight on what to do next.
 
"When I was in the portal, my brothers were a huge help," said Jaheim. "The really cool thing with EKU is that Coach Wells had recruited all my brothers and me before at different times. I had talked with my brother Johnny, and he vouched for Wells, and with the familiarity I had with him and EKU, it just felt like the right place to be."
Richmond proved to be just that for Ward, who helped a revitalized EKU defense allow only 23.7 points per game, as the Colonels went 8-4 in the regular season, returning to the FCS Playoffs for the 23^rd time in program history.
 
"2024 was a special year," said Ward. "It was everything I wanted; it felt like I really got my chance and made the most of it, and as a team, we stayed close and everything started to click for us. Now we need to keep it going."
 
Everything did click for Ward, who played in all 12 games, starting 10, making the third-most tackles on the team with 66, with five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
 
All the while, though his brothers kept him humbled and focused.
 
"Despite all the numbers I was putting up, my brothers always kept pushing me to be better, and I love that," said Jahiem. "I remember getting into the locker room at halftime of one of our games and seeing texts from them telling me I was standing too vertically in my stance… so I changed it and they were right."
 
Jaheim's performance on the field earned him recognition off it, earning Second Team All-United Athletic Conference honors.
 
"Getting all-conference recognition is awesome," said Jaheim. "I'm the only one of my brothers to have gotten named all-conference, so that's a nice little thing to have over them, but now I have to strive for that next level, and I know my brothers are going to hold me to that."
 
Ahead of the 2025 season, Ward is no longer a new name on the team, and with that comes a change in his views of his role on the team.
 
"Last year, I saw how Mike [Smith Jr.] was a leader in the secondary," said Ward. "I've talked a lot with Vito [Tisdale] about how we need to do that now for these younger guys. So right now, we are working with the younger DBs to make sure everyone knows where to be and what their job is. We've got to make sure everyone is in the right place."
 
One thing is for sure, though, ahead of the 2025 season, Jaheim Ward has found his place at EKU.