2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Jerome Ford
- Position: Running Back
- School: Cincinnati
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 220lbs
Film Watched: Notre Dame 2021, Tulane 2021, Alabama 2021
Pro's:
- Strong power back who runs with conviction
- Demonstrates excellent anticipation of developing run lanes and potential threats
- Powerful lower body with astonishing leg drive through contact
- Offers minimal surface area to tacklers and frequently fights through early contact on runs
- Impressive footwork for a bigger back, can shorten stride and adjust trajectory in tight spaces
- Aforementioned leg drive allows him to thunder through gap when it appears
- Has some serious wheels – when he sees the open field, he can turn on the jets
- Short yardage / goalline specialist who knows what it takes to get the yardage required
Jerome Ford is a RB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 7.76 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 341 out of 1519 RB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/KC6U7N2Jy1 #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/nnBs2uXF76
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Con's:
- Underused as a pass catcher at Cincinnati; something of an unknown commodity as a receiver
- Short-area agility limited, but not inhibitive
- Religious to the playcall; rarely creates something out of nothing if stymied early on a play
- Serious work on blocking technique needed – Ford has the size to be an asset in this regard
- Unable to earn reps at Alabama behind Jacobs & Harris, and had to transfer to get on the field
The Verdict:
“Unable to jump the depth chart for consistent game time at Alabama, Jerome Ford called up his favourite recruiter, Bearcats OC Gino Guidugli, and made his way eight hours North. His arrival in Cincinnati coincided with the greatest era in the football program’s history, and Ford has been a huge part of their success. The perfect blend of size, speed and physicality, Ford feels slightly disrespected as a prospect, maybe like he has been in his collegiate career. But as a key contributor in 2020 and then the lead workhorse in 2021, he has been nothing short of sensational, with more than 2,000 all purpose yards and 28 TD’s in just 23 games. The best part? He hasn’t even tapped into all of his ability yet. If he can improve his blocking and get more opportunities as a pass catcher then there is very little to like about his game. If he falls to day three somebody is getting an absolute steal - Ford is Pro Bowl material.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: JAMES ROBINSON
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Rated 5 out of 5