Jaylan Ford

Jaylan Ford (born November 28, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.

Jaylan Ford

No. 53 – New Orleans Saints
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(2001-11-28) November 28, 2001 (age 23)[1] Frisco, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lone Star (Frisco, Texas)
College:	Texas (2020–2023)
NFL draft:	2024: 5th round, 175th pick
Career history
New Orleans Saints (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American (2022) 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2022, 2023)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 4 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Ford attended Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, where he was the District 5-5A-I Defensive MVP as a junior.^[2] A three star prospect, Ford originally committed to play college football for Utah before flipping his commitment to Texas.^[2][3]

College career

After being a role player his first two seasons, Ford emerged as a key contributor for the Longhorns in 2022.^[4][5][6] On October 15, 2022, Ford recorded 8 tackles and two forced turnovers in a 24–21 win over Iowa State and was named the Big 12 defensive player of the week.^[6][7] Ford finished the season with 119 tackles, the second most of any player in the Big 12.^[8] At the conclusion of the season he was named a member of the All Big-12 first team, and third-team All-American by the Associated Press. ^[9] Ford would return for his senior season, once again earning All Big-12 first team honors.^[10]

College statistics

Season	GP	Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
		Solo	Ast	Cmb	TfL	Sck	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
2020	10	5	9	14	1.0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2021	12	29	24	53	6.0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022	13	61	58	119	10.0	2.0	4	48	12.0	0	6	2	0	0	3
2023	13	40	51	91	10.5	1.0	2	5	2.5	0	4	1	0	0	1
Career	48	135	142	277	27.5	3.0	6	53	8.8	0	10	3	0	0	4
Source:[11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in (1.89 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m)	9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m)	4.72 s	1.66 s	2.65 s	4.24 s	7.09 s	33.5 in (0.85 m)	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)	18 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13]

Ford was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round (175th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.^[14] He played in 8 games during his rookie campaign, recording 4 combined tackles.^[15] In Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Ford suffered a fractured fibula, necessitating surgery and effectively ending his season.^[16]