When University of Texas linebacker Jaylon Ford broke through the huddle, his helmet rotated and his communication was on point as he yelled defensive signals.
As the Longhorns' defensive captain, Ford takes the leadership aspect of his position very seriously. This is a thinker's game, and Ford applies his intelligent nature to decipher the offense and adapt on the fly.
Ford, a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and third-team All-American, will be drafted this weekend as the 6-foot-3 player will be rewarded for his hard-working personality, instincts and work ethic. It's planned. , the 242-pound Frisco native is being approached by NFL teams.
“I think being at the linebacker position, you have to work a little bit harder, you have to make a little bit more sacrifice, and honestly you have to take more pride in being a defensive player,” Ford said by phone. told KPRC. interview. “As a middle linebacker, I think it's kind of your duty to make sure everyone's where they're supposed to be. You're like the sheriff of the defense department. You're like the quarterback on defense. You have to know more than most people out there.
“That comes from making sacrifices and doing what needs to be done off the field. Doing everything that leads to one play and the next play. Those are things that go beyond just getting up and coming to practice. , I have to think. I have to do more. At the end of the day, I have to take pride in what I do. That's why I've been able to grow, and I've been a captain for two years. That's why I took pride in trying to be a leader more than anyone else on the team.
Ford recorded 100 tackles in a season for the second year in a row. Last season, he recorded 101 tackles, including 10 and a half for a loss and two interceptions.
He totaled 287 total tackles, 27 1/2 points, six interceptions, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Ford had a chance to play in the Senior Bowl All-Star Game. Instead, he focused on getting his body in shape for the NFL Scouting Combine and campus pro day. At the combine, Ford formally met with the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants.
Ford, in his third year with the company, has the necessary experience and talent. Now he feels ready for the rigors of professional football.
“I feel very prepared,” Ford said. “I want to get the chance. No matter which round, which team picks me, I'm not too worried. I want to get the chance to do what I've wanted to do since I was a kid. That kind of thing. I had worked really hard to get to this point in my life, and I thought that what I had worked so hard for was just around the corner. I was there.
“Once you cross that threshold, it becomes very difficult to visualize the goal. I want to be a starting linebacker in the NFL, or one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Chasing a legacy. I'm excited. I've always had a chip on my shoulder and I'm excited to have the opportunity to show what I can do.
Ford used a combined hiring interview style that included a physical exam, interview, and medical exam, as well as media interviews.
“I felt like everything went very well,” Ford said of the meeting with NFL teams. “They asked a lot of questions about my tape, about me as a linebacker and as a person. I can't say it's overwhelming, but it's like a job interview to be honest. Like that. I don't think it's that much of a burden if you handle it. It means putting yourself on the line for something you've been preparing for all your life and finally showing off that preparation to scouts and coaches.”
Ford, who was consistently praised by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian for his intelligence, acumen, and athleticism, was given many responsibilities.
“My biggest thing is to always be prepared, not think too much about making mistakes, and just go out there and play fast,” Ford said. “Those are all responsibilities that come with being a linebacker, Mike.”
That included directing the Longhorns' defense and telling them how to best utilize the skills of heavyweight defensive tackles Byron Murphy and Tyvondre Sweat. Murphy is expected to be drafted in the top of the first round, while Sweat is projected to be drafted in the second round or even late in the draft after his recent DUI arrest.
“The communication is huge,” Ford said. “If they don't listen to me, sometimes I have to walk up to the line and slap them on the butt to get them to listen to you. I have to make sure that I'm receiving, and then I have to make sure that the players on the left and right are on the same page. If a miscommunication causes a bad play, that's going to be a touchdown. There is a possibility.
“These are my guys and of course you can watch the tape and see what they are capable of and that makes my job a lot easier, but this is a team game and we as a whole It was a team defense, and I felt all of us were very dominant up front and that helped us get a season that we haven't seen in a long time at Texas.”
Ford did a great job shadowing running backs, mirroring their paths in pass coverage, unblocking, and consistently making sharp tackles. He creates leverage with ideal pad level and technique.
He intercepted six passes over the past two seasons.
At Lone Star High School, Ford was named district defensive player of the year and originally planned to play collegiately at the University of Utah, but then transferred to Texas.
He had 119 tackles while intercepting four passes as a junior, second-most in the Big 12.
At the combine, Ford went 10-1 in the broad jump and 33 1/2 inches in the vertical jump. He prepared at Exos, Arizona.
“A job is a job,” Ford said. “I can't really complain. I didn't want to go into the whole thing because I was hurting a little bit. I was just trying to get healthy. Throughout the season, I played through some injuries and finished the season. I didn’t have a chance to recover until after.”
At the University of Texas, Ford majored in communications and leadership. Some of his educational pursuits carried over onto the football field as well.
Being part of the rich Longhorn tradition is something Ford values.
“When I first got there, I didn't really understand how deep the pride they had in the University of Texas and how much they loved representing Texas,” Ford said. “The more you come to this school, the more you naturally develop a love for the school, and you can follow that path as well.
“I think it's really great to be an athlete there and how many people want to shake your hand and say hello just because they admire you on the field. I was able to experience that. I think that was really big. I had the opportunity to network and build relationships through that. It would be great to be a part of that history in the future. I want to be a mentor to children and youth in general, and I want to use the knowledge I have gained to give back.”
Ford is represented by Wasserman Football agents CJ Laboy and Sean Aslani.
“I can't complain at all,” Ford said. “Sean, CJ and Wasserman have all been a huge help in this process. It's a big journey as a football player. It's a dream come true in some ways, getting the biggest, really important job interview of your life. They're with you every step of the way. It's great to have people like that in your circle.”
From his agent's perspective, it's a proud moment.
“I watched Jaylan play for many years and grow into a true team leader, captain, and great middle linebacker,” Aslani said. “I watched his tape and thought, 'Wow, he's such a great athlete.' Then I got to know him and his personality is so great that an NFL team was able to acquire him. would have been very lucky.
“He's the complete package. He works very hard. He's very intelligent. He's done everything asked of him during this journey. I am confident that we will achieve this goal and I am very proud of it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
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