Jerome Ford RB Cincinnati | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jerome Ford RB Cincinnati
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (81%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 24.7 DOB: 09/12/1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 01/28/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (81%*) | |
| Age: 24.7 DOB: 09/12/1999 | |
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 81.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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79% |
| Break Tackles: |
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63% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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61% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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47% |
| Run Blocking: |
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48% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#123
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 30 College Snaps: 838 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 156 (CLE)
Draft Profile: Bio
Jerome Ford was One of the top running back talents in Florida, a four-star runner, and ranked the No. 6 all-purpose back nationally by 247Sportsand and was graded a three-star recruit. He chose Alabama over Arizona, Nebraska, USF, and UCF.His Alabama career didn't work out how he hoped and ended up stuck behind a crowded group of star backs so received few opportunities - as a freshman and sophomore, he totaled just 32 carries for 150 YDs. He wisely decided to transfer and joined the Bearcats early in 2020.
Ford split time in 2020 with senior running back Gerrid Doaks. Doaks led the backfield with 673 rushing yards on 144 carries and scored seven touchdowns, and Ford rushed 73 times for 483 yards and eight touchdowns.
The following year as a senior he exploded onto the scene by leading the Bearcats with 1,242 yards rushing, 19 rushing touchdowns, and 20 total touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. In the Cotton Bowl against Alabama, he was the only player on the Cincinnati offense that had any success - logging 77 YDs on 15 carries with an average of 5.1. He was named to the 2021 All-AAC First Team and collected AAC Championship Game MVP honors as a result.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Ford has the perfect combination of speed, explosion to run outside, and the size and power to run off tackle
- Put up impressive numbers this final year logging an eye-watering 6.2 YDs per carry
- Cuts on a dime with lightning-fast feet and the quick-twitch explosion of an Olympic sprinter out of the block. Very good vision.
- He logged a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and a 10.61-second 100-meter time. while at Armwood High School.
- Flashes initial burst and good lateral quickness to sidestep defenders or bounce runs outside with very good foot quickness. Displays very good feel as an inside and outside runner with an above-average vision to make sharp cuts - good patience· and footwork to pick through defenses.
- Demonstrated the ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Good flexibility and balance to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Good vision and patience for screens.
- Natural field vision to see holes developing and the patience to follow his blockers
- Solid receiver in the flat, capable of running through tackles on the edge to move the chains. Flexible enough to catch passes thrown behind him.
- Strong interior runner. Quickly presses the line of scrimmage and has the burst to get through the line of scrimmage and into the second level quickly. A classic North-South runner who doesn't waste time moving laterally.
- Has the feet and feel running between the tackles and in the open field. He has very good vision and the patience to pick through defenses.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Doesn’t catch the ball naturally, is not a quality receiver - although can be used as an outlet. Will need to improve to be regarded as a three-down player at the next level
- Offers little in run or pass protection and has poor technique, although does gets a nice chip on pass rushers when heading out of the back field
- Can be too indecisive and hesitant at the line of scrimmage.
Scouting Report: Summary
Ford is an excellent prospect who until this year has gone under pro scout's radar - he has elite speed and explosiveness combined with good size and a natural feel as a rusher.He, however, doesn't offer much as a blocker and is somewhat limited as a receiver - but there is no reason to think that he can't improve this part of his game at the next level.
We consider Ford a quality fourth-round prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft who could easily end up as a quality starter in the pros.
Jerome Ford percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jerome Ford (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
136.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.