Coaching Corner: Tavares Ward's Position Coach, Noah Pressley
GoMiddle chatted with the high school defensive backs coach for Tavares Ward, Noah Pressley!
Say what you want about Derek Mason, I think that it is safe to say that he has an eye for evaluating defensive backs. When it comes to the class of 2027, the Blue Raiders have two defensive back commitments. There is George Harris and Tavares Ward. Both prospects are out of the South Florida region. Both also know each other, and are friends. When Ward committed, we had a story.
We talked to the defensive backs coach at Christopher Columbus High School, Noah Pressley. Pressley is the position coach for Tavares Ward.
Right off the bat, Pressley opened up about his track record as a coach.
“I’ve been coaching since 2018 at various high schools, from Broward and Dade County, now landing at Columbus for the 2026-2027 season,” Pressley said.
“I’m the defensive backs coach currently. I’ve coordinated and have always been in charge of the secondary. I’ve had the privilege to coach some notable players you see on Saturdays currently.”
During the interview, we transitioned and pivoted to Tavares Ward.
Pressley divulged that there was a moment in time when it hit him that Ward was a special player, and one worthy of playing football at the Division One level.
“When Tavares was at Western High School he was around a Elite group of defensive backs Jaylyn Jones (Miami Commit), Sherrod Gourdine (Miami Commit) Bryce Williams (Nebraska Commit) and Marek Marcellus (Freshman at Wofford),” he said.
“He competed every day with that group and became the starter.”
During the course of the interview, we leaned into what type of player Ward is.
“He’s a smart, lengthy, violent defender. He gives you a strong presence in the box,” Pressley said.
Pressley indicated that Ward is poised for a big time senior campaign in 2026.
“He’s one of two seniors so we are looking for him to take more of a leadership role which he’s doing a tremendous job,” he said.
“My expectations haven’t changed for him it’s always been “get it done” somehow someway get it done.”
Players are always looking for ways to fine tune their game, and Pressley said there are areas for Ward to improve on.
“His areas of improvement will be the middle of the field stuff,” he said.
“Seeing the game from a different lense and understanding what offenses are trying to accomplish.”
Pressley spoke about Ward’s intangibles, and the little things that culminate, making Ward a solid player.
“His intangibles are he’s smart. He picks up scheme very quickly,” Pressley said.
“Lastly, he’s what I like to call a try hard. He’s a 100 miles per hour every practice. He’s trying to max out every day, which will eventually flow into games.”
Pressley said that Ward will fit like a glove in Murfreesboro and will mesh in the locker room.
“He already has a real tight relationship with Coach Tyler Monaco,” he said.
“There’s also a few guys from Florida already on the team he’s friends with. Commit George Harris is also his good friend so the mesh will be good.”