Overview is from
nfl.com prospectFord received recruiting overtures from Alabama and Ohio State as one of the top-75 prospects in the country, but he stayed in his hometown to play for the Panthers. He scored five different ways as a senior (rushing, receiving, interception return, fumble return, punt return) while his Steel Valley High School squad won every game it played in 2016 by the mercy rule. He redshirted in 2017 and then played in nine games as a reserve the following season (five tackles). Ford made good on those recruiting marks in 2019, garnering first-team All-ACC honors after leading Pitt with 97 tackles and three interceptions (also posting 2.5 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups and three forced fumbles). Ford played in all 13 contests that season but missed two starts because of targeting calls. He started seven games in 2020 (45 tackles, 3.5 for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups) before deciding to opt out for the rest of the year. His cousin, Treyvon Hester, was a defensive lineman at Toledo before moving on to the NFL. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
Ball-hawking safety with anticipatory traits and instincts that get the best of him at times, putting his team in harm's way. Against lesser quarterbacks, he shows off his ability to key the quarterback and get early jumps on throws whether from his role as split safety, slot corner or short-zone defender. However, NFL quarterbacks and play-callers will target his eagerness and take advantage of his willingness to get pulled out of position. He possesses below-average size in run support but is ready and willing to do his part, which will be appreciated. Ultimately, he's a feast-or-famine defender who needs a role that doesn't put him in position to be a last line of defense.
Strengths
Ball production has been a strength.
Above-average ball anticipation from zone.
Keys quarterback's eyes and gets head start over the top.
Plays with decent pattern recognition.
Catches rides underneath the route from off-man coverage.
Plant and drive acceleration is solid.
Takes well-mapped routes to strike pass-catching receivers.
Will smack a crossing route with some pepper.
Eager to mix it up in run game, sifting through box bodies to find runner.
Weaknesses
Lacks desired size to be a banger at safety.
Strikes with aggression, but fails to knock big boys backward.
Struggles as open-field tackler when he doesn't close distance early in rep.
Field discipline has been a major problem.
Overwhelming desire to make plays leads him to break off assignments.
Below-average hips for transitions from his pedal.
Has tape of receivers sprinting right past him.
Poor showing across the board at pro day.
