Jay Ward has become a stalwart in the LSU secondary, even while battling injuries.

LSU’s secondary has been ravaged by NFL Draft declarations and transfer portal departures this offseason, but Ward provided first-year coach Brian Kelly with some good news on Tuesday.

Per Shea Dixon of 247Sports, Ward will return to school for the 2022 campaign, filling an important spot in the Tigers’ defensive backfield:

Ward finished third in tackles for the Tigers in 2021, recording 69 (1 for a loss). He also had 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Ward’s return should provide some stability to LSU’s defensive backfield, which will have plenty of new faces in 2022.