Draft hopeful Tyson can’t thank Hines Ward enough

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Hines Ward’s greatness is debated on a yearly basis when he inevitably gets overlooked for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ward holds many of the Steelers records and is now pouring into a new receiver in Pittsburgh.

Jordyn Tyson is in town for the NFL Draft and will likely hear his name selected during the first round on Thursday. Tyson credits his Arizona State wide receiver coach for this opportunity, that man is Hines Ward.

“He’s been there, done that,” Tyson said Wednesday. “He’s seen it all. He’s made every mistake. He’s made every right decision. Him instilling all the stuff he learned in his 14-year career in me, I can’t thank him enough.”

Tyson transferred from Colorado to the Sun Devils after his freshman year and played in three games with no receptions. Enter Ward as his coach in 2024 and Tyson caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last year he dealt with injury, but still managed 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns.

“When we first started working together it was more intense,” Tyson said. “I was like, ‘you got to get this down, c’mon’. Once I got it down and I was taking coaching pretty well. It was chill sailing after that.”

Tyson said he’s proud of how he’s developed as a route-runner. Pro Football Focus has Tyson rated as the third-best receiver and they believe he has the ability to be an All-Pro. The 21-year-old believes in himself, another thing he likely learned from Ward.

“It’s amazing, he played my position for so long,” Tyson said. “He knows it. Should be in the Hall of Fame at my position, hopefully soon. He’s a great coach and even better person.”

Tyson said Ward talked about his career.

“A lot of people say his blocking ability, but shoot, he’s got 100 touchdowns,” Tyson said. “That’s an amazing feat. He was a great player. He could do everything you want at the receiver position. He was very good at the option route game, very physical. He had it all.”

When asked, he was also aware of a Ward trademark. When talking about accomplishments, Hines would often say no one expected him to be as good as he was.

The Steelers great let Tyson know that too.

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“He said he was supposed to go in the first and then they realized he had no ACL, so he ended up dropping to the third,” Tyson said. “He’s definitely got the underdog route.”

Tyson isn’t an underdog, although there are doubters because of an injury history. What if Tyson followed Ward’s career path to Pittsburgh?

“It would be amazing,” Tyson said. “I feel like Steelers fans are big football fans. They love their players. They love their team. It would be amazing.”