Prospect Bio

Jerome Ford was primarily a wide receiver during his high school days at Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida. He had more than 1,200 yards receiving and 585 yards rushing while also playing safety on defense. He earned four-star recruit status and was courted by more than 20 teams. Ford committed to Alabama in December 2017. He joined a team that was full of top NFL prospects, including Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Damien Harris. It was no surprise, then, that he only played in four games during his true freshman season and ended up taking the redshirt. It was more of the same in 2019 when he ran just 24 times for 114 yards. With Najee Harris returning to school and Brian Robinson Jr. in the mix as well, Ford opted to enter the transfer portal in 2020. He landed in Cincinnati where he was again relegated to a backup role behind Gerrid Doaks. Still, the move proved beneficial for Ford as he more than doubled his Alabama production, taking 73 carries for 483 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Doaks left for the NFL in 2021 and Ford finally found himself in the RB1 chair. He took full advantage, rushing for 1,319 yards on 215 carries while adding 21 receptions for 220 yards and scoring 20 total touchdowns. He had five 100-yard rushing performances and scored at least once in 12 games. That included 189 yards and four touchdowns against UCF. Ford earned first-team All-ACC.

College Stats

Jerome Ford College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com

Positives

+Size 

+Good speed

+Excels in short yardage

+Acceleration

+Very good change-of-direction 

+Good vision

+Explosive 

+21 receptions in 2021

+1.8 yards per team play in 2021

+30% touchdown share in 2021

+3 touchdowns of 70+ yards in 2021

Negatives

-Doesn’t catch the ball naturally; Mostly unproven as a receiver 

-8% reception share/5.3% target share in 2021

-Sometimes indecisive and hesitant at the line of scrimmage

Highlight Reel

Comparable Player: TBD

NFL Draft Projection: Fourth Round

Bottom Line:

Jerome Ford is a classic north-south runner who—after years of waiting for his shot—proved he can be a workhorse back in 2021. He is fast and explosive and will fit into any rushing scheme. He projects best as a 1a or 1b to another back with complimentary skills. Ford will dominate in short yardage opportunities while also presenting a big-play threat. He will need to improve his receiving skills if he is to become a three-down back but he has shown enough to think it’s possible he gets there. Ford has the makings of a draft board riser. He’ll likely find draft capital late day two or early day three and will be a guy to target in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts.

Post Draft Analysis:

The path to fantasy production looks long and hard early in his career. The Browns have arguably the most talented running back depth chart with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt at the top. He will also have to get around D’Ernest Johnson if he ever wants to get on the field. Situations surely change quickly, but the short-term outlook is bleak for one of the more explosive runners in the class.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

Yards Per-Formance Prospect Grade