Jaylan Ford Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Texas

Class: Senior

Position: LB

HT: 6’2

WT: 240 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #99

Background: Jaylan Ford has had one of the bigger surges throughout his collegiate career in this draft class. He was a 3-star linebacker from Frisco, Texas. He played football at Lone Star High School, which is widely regarded as a high school football power house. As a senior, he helped get Lone Star to the 5A Division 1 state semifinals. He was a two time All-State selection in high school as an outside linebacker. With all of this high school success, Ford was still only ranked as the no. 988 player in the nation by 247 Composite. Jaylan Ford was a lock to commit to Texas, and that is exactly what he did.

College: As a freshman, Ford was a special teams contributor who was used in a reserve role on defense for Texas. In 2021, Ford played in every game and started two. He led the team with six tackles for loss on the season. In his junior season, Ford was named a Second Team All-American and a First Team All-Big 12. He totaled 119 tackles on the season and became one of the best linebackers in the country. Ford was once again an All-Big 12 First Team selection as a senior in 2023. He was a Butkus Award semifinalist and a Phil Steele All-America honorable mention.

Strengths: Ford is a tremendous combination of size and skill at the MIKE linebacker position. He has great ability to drop back in coverage and collapse on flat or shallow routes in front of him. He is a physical football player and tries to force his will on every snap. Jaylan is a proficient tackler, consistently wrapping up his target and bringing them down without requiring the help of teammates. He does not often fall for ball fakes or double moves behind the line of scrimmage; he is patient enough to make sure he knows where the ball carrier is going. Ford is effective at stopping the run just as well as he clogs passing lanes between the hash marks. He is athletic, with great movement skills and fluid hips, he is a solid linebacker option for picking up the shallow routes. As a pass rusher, Ford has violent and active hands that allow him to set the edge. He also does well to squeeze through gaps, seemingly untouched, and wreak havoc in the backfield.

Weaknesses: Ford is a bit stiff as he has trouble getting low in coverage and is a bit slow in his hip rotation. Ford gets caught ball watching far too often. He can be caught getting too aggressive instead of filling his initial role. His size and density takes a bit away from his speed and quickness. Any chip blocks will do him in and he is a mismatch for any slot receiver.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: MIKE LB

Best Team Fits: CLE, PHI, WSH

Player Comparison: Tremaine Edmunds

Player Grade: 74.7