Ford Embraces Position Switch
Bringing in offensive line talent year after year is vital for the success of any football program, but it was especially crucial for Jim Harding after the departure of four starting linemen to the NFL. Utah answered the call admirably, landing four high-caliber offensive linemen in 2017, as well as one defensive lineman, Nick Ford, who has since found a home on the other side of the ball.
Although he's just a true freshman, Ford is an imposing figure. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 285 pounds, he has the skills to make an impact on either side of the ball, but after talking with the coaches, Nick decided his best opportunity was on the offensive line.
“Initially when I came here, I was on defense for the first month, and then the first day of fall camp I switched over to O-line because I saw there was an availability for me,” said Ford. “I felt like I could help the team there more, so whatever helps the team.”
Nick was a coveted high school prospect, he held offers from 19 different schools, including seven programs in the Pac-12. Like so many other recruits who have ultimately decided to play at Utah, Ford said there was just something special about the Utes that drew him here.
“It’s just the family feel,” said Ford. “I felt the most accepted here. I felt the most comfortable here. I felt if football wasn't an option, (if) I got hurt or something, I'd still be able to attend the medical school here. That's another reason, because I want to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist.”
As many of Utah's new players have mentioned, there's a sharp contrast between playing at the high school level and playing in college. For Nick, he feels his transition is going well, although he's noticed one big difference about the college game.
“It’s going pretty well, I'd say there's really not much of a difference except the intensity. The intensity is really, really high. A lot more fast-paced,” he said. “We used to run power in our high school, so it used to be much slower. So now, it's picked up the pace, but I'm getting adjusted well. It's pretty nice here, I love it.”
Along those lines, Nick also expressed his excitement about the new offense that is being installed by Troy Taylor, something that has become a theme among Utah's offensive players. Although the faster pace demands more exertion from the players, when asked how they feel about the offense, without fail, they have responded with positivity.
“I like it,” exclaimed Ford. “It's really fast-paced. Keeps the defense on their heels, (doesn't) let them get refreshed and whatnot. We're going to be well-conditioned, so you better hope the defense is well-conditioned, otherwise they're going to be gassed because they're not going to be able to get off the field. We're going to keep pounding them in the face until we score.”
For now, it appears as if Nick has found his home on the offensive line. However, he admitted that he loves playing defense and isn't completely ruling out a return to the defensive line at some point in the future.
“Yeah, I'd love to play D-line,” he said. “But, I love where I'm at now and the transition is going really well, learning everything. I love it at O-line now.” As to whether or not we may see him on defense again, he replied, “Only time can tell, that's all I can say about that.”
Whether he ultimately ends up on offense or defense before his eligibility is up, Ford will be an exciting player to watch grow and develop. He has the size, raw physicality, athleticism, and tools to excel on either side of the ball. With a little bit of coaching and some experience, Nick could soon be a terror for opposing linemen to face.
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