Reflections on Isaiah Ford

Isaiah Ford was a late flip from Louisville in 2014, and surprised many with is almost immediate insertion into the starting line up for the Hokies in 2014. Ford's film was impressive, but I admittedly thought he was not on par with Ja'vonn Harrison, a supremely physically gifted wide receiver who flipped to Florida State shortly after Ford announced that he would be a Hokie.

I was wrong. Ford immediately demonstrated an ease and fluidity to the game that belied the effort and attention to detail he clearly put into his work off the field. Perhaps no Hokies receiver has been better at using his shoulders to create separation. Ford's ability to get himself open and high point the football made it almost impossible for defenses to account for him without doubling him over the top. He also was consistently productive, unlike many receivers who will have the occasional invisible game. When defenses started doubling Ford, that opened up things for Cam Phillips down the stretch and Ford still would work to get open. Honestly, I suspect that Ford was fighting through a lower body injury down the stretch because he didn't quite have the explosiveness we were accustomed to, and he still found ways to be supremely productive.

Perhaps even more interesting for NFL general managers, Ford had an amazing season in Justin Fuente's spread offense; however he was even better suited for a pro-style system. Ford excelled on deep dig and out routes that are staples of NFL offenses where quarterbacks often throw outs to the field, plays that were among the most effective in Scot Loeffler's playbook. Some question his measurables (ability to get off physical press coverage, straight line speed.) Well, I believe this kid will be a very good NFL player. He has been historically productive despite being in a below average offense and not getting huge numbers of touches per game for 2/3rds of his career. He gets open and doesn't drop balls, two things that are a premium in NFL short passing offenses. He has the ability to win 50/50 balls. And, any GM that discounts productivity often finds themselves sitting with the fans.

I never had the pleasure meeting Isaiah. All the people who have written for TKP, and fans who have met him have said he has been nothing but friendly and accommodating. He has been the rare player who has never given me a reason to write anything negatively about his on the field performance. He has been a testament to the university, his family, and this team. It has been a pleasure to watch him for the last three years, and I am excited to see him prove any doubters wrong again at the next level. Who is Ja'vonn Harrison again? Best of luck, Isaiah.