A Look At The Detroit Lions Signing Of 2018 UDFA Mike Ford

Of the cornerback UDFAs the Detroit Lions have added, Mike Ford may have the most potential. When he began his career at Southeast Missouri State University, he did so as a wide receiver. His explosiveness in space, strong hands, and competitiveness are likely what had Southeast Missouri State so interested in him as a wide receiver. These traits are ones that translated very well for Ford when they decided to move him to the defensive side of the ball and try him at cornerback.

This worked well as his best season came immediately following. His sophomore year he earned himself five interceptions. However, the cornerback had his junior season shaken a bit when he suffered an injury that kept him out of four games. Ford still managed to credit an interception on the season, while adding six pass break ups. While he did start every game his senior season, he did not quite return to his ball-hawking form.

His senior season, he again earned just one interception. While he did not give the ball back to the offense as much as he had shown earlier in his collegiate career, he did swat down an impressive 14 passes on an 11 game season. Ford showed better run support as well, adding 32 tackles – five of which came at a loss, as well as two sacks.

Ford’s Camp Battle

While the competition for the Lions cornerback group is deep, Ford’s potential gives him as good a shot as anyone to make the practice squad. As a former wide receiver, he has only spent three years learning the position. His technique still has plenty that can be refined and could be coached up at the NFL level.

At 6’0, 190 lbs, Ford ran a 4.47 40-yard dash as well as jumping an outstanding 40″ vertical jump. He may be one of the rawest cornerbacks in the group but his athletic ability is high enough that it should not be surprising to see the Lions tuck him away on the practice squad to further develop in 2018.

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