TE Marshon Ford, Louisville
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 226
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL): Louisville, KY (Ballard)
247 RATING: N/A
STARS: N/A
YEAR: Sophomore
POSITION RANK: 10
CAREER
Receiving: 20 catches, 292 yards (14.6 ypc), 7 touchdowns
2019
Receiving: 20 catches, 292 yards (14.6 ypc), 7 touchdowns
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Marshon Ford Breakdown
Tight end was a position of concern when Scott Satterfield came to Louisville, but he and the players on the roster made quick work to identify players who could contribute. Marshon Ford surprised everyone by emerging as a viable pass catcher, and his story is one that Cardinals fans should remember.
A former walk-on, Ford not only won a spot in the rotation, but also earned himself a scholarship. He only caught 20 passes last year, but he showed that he can make plays despite limited opportunities. Of those 20 catches, seven went for a touchdown. If you need a guy to score in the redzone, Ford’s your guy. And it’s not because he has exceptional size. While he is 6’2”, 226 pounds, he relies on the technical side of his game to get open. Crisp cuts and good routes are what make him successful, because he creates separation so that he doesn’t have to rely on pure talent. That shouldn’t be surprising given that he went from a walk-on to a scholarship player.
Louisville should give him more chances to catch the ball this year, but they know that they can count on him to block for them as well. His ability to sustain blocks in the run game isn’t the best. There are time where he’s too aggressive trying to dominate his matchup, and that leads to a number of whiffs. Improvements in his run blocking will make him better, but at least he’ll protect his quarterback well. He has a great anchor as a pass protector. He’s shown the ability to stun a pass rusher and negate them with timely punches.
Marshon Ford’s journey to becoming a scholarship contributor for the Louisville Cardinals is a feel-good story. But that’s not where it ends. After a year where he showed flashes of his potential, the 2020 Marshon Ford figures to see the ball more and get more opportunities to produce. He’s already shown that he can do the dirty work for his teammates, and he’ll get his chance to shine this year because of it.
