NFL CAREER – A 6-2, 240-pound defender possesses a combination of speed, instincts and strength needed to excel on both defense and special teams. After a stellar career at Texas, where he started 28-of-49 games for the Longhorns during his college career with totals of 287 tackles (141 solo), 27.5 stops for loss, three sacks, ten pass breakups, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, Ford established a role on the team's special teams units as a rookie. In eight games, he made five coverage stops before suffering a season-ending fibula injury in Week 17.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Placed on Injured Reserve (fibula), 12/31/24; Signed to a four-year contract, 5/9/24; Originally selected in the fifth round (175th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 – Played in eight games on special teams and totaled five tackles…Made NFL debut on special teams vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 22 and recorded one stop…Added two special teams tackles vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 13…Recorded two special teams tackles vs. Washington, Dec. 15…Suffered a season-ending fibula injury vs. Las Vegas, Dec. 29.
COLLEGE – Started 28-of-49 games for the Longhorns during his college career with totals of 287 tackles (141 solo), 27.5 stops for loss, three sacks, ten pass breakups, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries…In 2023, Butkus Award semifinalist was consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection (conference head coaches, the Associated Press, and Phil Steele)…Appeared in and started all 14 games. Totaled 101 tackles (46 solo), 10.5 stops for loss, a sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Became first Longhorn with back-to-back 100-tackle seasons since Keenan Robinson (2010-11). Had at least five tackles in 13 games and seven-plus stops in nine…Reese's Senior Bowl invitee…In 2022, named an AP third-team All-American, a first-team All-Big 12 Selection by both the Big 12 Conference head coaches and the AP and Dave Campbell's Texas Football Defensive Player of the Year…Played in 13 games with 12 starts. Totaled career-high 119 tackles (61 solo), ten stops for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions and two pass breakups...Registered career-highs with 15 tackles (ten solo) and a forced fumble and notched half a sack versus UTSA…Registered 13 tackles (two solo), two stops for loss, one quarterback hurry, one pass breakup and an 18-yard interception return against Baylor. His interception against the Bears his fourth of season, tying the single-season interception record for a Texas linebacker, last accomplished by Derrick Johnson (2002 and 2003). Earned third Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honor for efforts against Baylor, becoming the third Longhorn to earn the accolade three times in the same season (Johnson, '04; Jackson Jeffcoat, '13)…Totaled ten tackles (five solo) against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Marked his seventh game with double-digit tackles in 2022 and the eighth of his career…Season tackle total of 119 was the most for a Longhorn since 2014 (Jordan Hicks - 147; Steve Edmond - 131). All four of interceptions set up Texas TDs…Played in all 12 games with two starts in 2021. Registered 53 tackles (29 solo) with a team-leading six stops for loss…In 2020, played in all ten games, contributing primarily on special teams and started in Valero Alamo Bowl win over Colorado, where he posted four tackles…Graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and leadership.
PERSONAL – A two-time all-state honoree who led Lone Star (Frisco, Texas) HS to the state semifinals as senior...Ranked No. 112 overall in Texas by Rivals...Named second-team 5A All-State in 2019, when he amassed 142 tackles (115 solo), including 11 stops for loss, a sack, six pressures, an interception, a pass defense and one forced fumble. Part of a defense that allowed just 15.7 points per game, including six games of seven points or fewer, including two shutouts. Helped Lone Star to a 14-1 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark/title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 1 state semifinals. Named third-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football…Earned honorable mention 5A All-State as a junior in 2018 and named Defensive MVP of District 5-5A Division 1, when he compiled 105 tackles, including eight stops for loss, with eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Part of a defense that allowed just 11.3 points per game, including 31 points in their first six games, two of which were on a safety, and seven total games of seven points or less. Helped Lone Star to a 10-3 record, including a 6-1 district mark and 5A Division I regional playoffs appearance…Tabbed the District 13-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2017 as sophomore. Part of a defense that allowed just 13.1 points per game, including four shutouts. Helped Lone Star to a 12-2 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark/title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 2 quarterfinals…Rode in the Krewe of Tucks Mardi Gras parade…In May, volunteered with teammates Bub Means and Rico Payton and Saints employees to help in the refurbishment of Tad Gormley Stadium…Born in Dallas, Texas.
