Over the previous few months, we’ve been breaking down all undrafted free brokers signed by the Jets. We conclude right now with former UCLA offensive lineman Courtland Ford.
The 25-year Outdated Ford is listed at 6’6” and 315 kilos and performed in 46 video games in his profession, beginning 25 at three totally different positions. Along with UCLA, he additionally performed for USC and Kentucky.
Ford was a three-star highschool recruit, who initially headed to USC in 2020.
He would redshirt his first season, though he did begin one recreation at left guard in his solely look, with USC successful that matchup.
As a redshirt freshman, he began the primary eight video games at left sort out however then solely made yet another look off the bench as he was sidelined by accidents and sickness.
In 2022, he performed in 10 of 14 video games, beginning three, and opted to enter the switch portal on the finish of the yr.
Having moved to Kentucky, he was once more affected by accidents as he was restricted to 2 begins in two seasons. He solely appeared in two video games in 2024.
He transferred once more, this time to UCLA, and bought an opportunity to begin 11 video games final season, albeit with combined outcomes.
Having not been invited to the scouting mix, Ford was harm at his professional day and wasn’t capable of full a full exercise, hurting his already slim probabilities of being drafted.
Ford was not one of many first spherical of undrafted free brokers signed by the Jets however they signed him after he attended their rookie minicamp on a tryout foundation.
Let’s transfer onto some extra in-depth evaluation of what Ford brings to the desk, based mostly on in-depth analysis and movie research.
Ford has good dimension and above common size however might must bulk up and add some energy. He beforehand was reported to have labored arduous on his physique and physique at USC.
His professional day exercise was affected by an damage so you possibly can maybe throw out his disappointing numbers (12 bench press reps and 5.46 within the brief shuttle).
Ford’s solely motion in his true freshman season was an emergency begin at left guard, though that was the one time in his profession he performed inside.
He in any other case performed primarily at left sort out, aside from at Kentucky the place he began two video games on the best in 2023.
He performed a number of snaps as tight finish in jumbo or unbalanced packages.
When Ford arrived at UCLA in 2025, he hadn’t given up a sack since 2021, however he gave up eight in his lone season with the Bruins. He had additionally given up three in his eight begins as a redshirt freshman.
His strain price wasn’t too dangerous as a university participant but it surely was greater in 2025 than the remainder of his profession, maybe as a result of he was left on an island extra because of his expertise.
He strikes his toes fairly nicely to remain in entrance of his man however struggles particularly towards speed-to-power strikes.
One factor he does nicely is to redirect his man, or shove him to the bottom to maintain him away from the quarterback. His struggles to anchor generally is a main weak spot although.
Run blocking was additionally an space the place Ford was inconsistent. Nevertheless, he shows good energy on the level of assault.
He has the flexibility to execute on a combo block after which transition to climbing as much as the second stage.
Ford additionally exhibits flashes of a capability to get out on the transfer and lock onto or angle off his man in area.
UCLA didn’t have a lot success on the aim line final yr with solely eight dashing touchdowns all season as a crew, together with 4 by the quarterback.
Ford did a superb job on this Third-and-short run that he helped spring for a a lot greater achieve.
UCLA additionally didn’t have a lot success within the display recreation final yr, with two key turnovers on screens and no huge performs. They have been way more efficient throughout Ford’s USC days, though most of those have been receiver screens or performs the place Ford was staying in to dam fairly than getting downfield.
Pad stage was a relentless situation for the 6’6” Ford, who lets his base get slender at occasions and this hurts his means to anchor.
His handwork wants some refinement, though he battles for leverage. He could be late or inaccurate together with his fingers and prone to swipes and chops.
His footwork is fairly good, particularly when mirroring in go safety. He additionally impresses together with his means to fireside off the road.
He has beforehand stated that he fashions his recreation on former Jets sort out Tyron Smith.
Penalties had a bent to come back in bunches for Ford, who didn’t have any in his first 4 profession begins however then had six in his subsequent 5 begins.
Final season, he had eight penalties within the first six video games however then was penalty-free within the final 5 video games.
These eight penalties included 4 for offensive holding and 4 of them got here in a single recreation.
Ford’s solely particular groups position throughout his profession has been as a blocker on the placekicking unit, throughout which era he had no vital errors. He didn’t play particular groups in any respect final season.
Ford’s highschool head coach has beforehand praised Ford for being good with an amazing soccer IQ. At Kentucky, his offensive line coach referred to as him “wise beyond his years”.
He had combined outcomes when it comes to reacting to and passing off stunts, although.
Three of his penalties final yr have been false begins and one was for unlawful man downfield on a go.
Ford grew to become a frontrunner with UCLA final yr, as one among their older and extra skilled gamers.
He was beforehand praised by his highschool’s working backs coach for his humility and work ethic.
Ford had some damage points over his profession, essentially the most disruptive of which was most likely his 2024 wrist damage which required surgical procedure and restricted him to 2 appearances.
In 2021, he missed one recreation with a leg damage and two because of sickness (mono). He then had an offseason process after the 2022 season that restricted him within the spring.
His professional day exercise was affected by an ankle situation.
Ford appears to be like sure to be one of many third crew tackles heading into preseason. His expertise in a number of faculty applications must be helpful and he has expertise of zone and man blocking schemes.
He has been a teammate of present Jets working again Chip Trayanum whereas at Kentucky.
Ford might not carry a lot in the best way of school success or accolades and maybe doesn’t have as a lot upside as among the Jets’ different undrafted rookies however he’ll get an opportunity to compete for a job in camp.
The Jets aren’t precisely overflowing with depth on the offensive line however there are sufficient skilled gamers forward of him that it appears unlikely that Ford will sniff a spot on the 53 except there are a number of accidents.
His greatest wager is to ascertain himself as a reliable employee, who will follow arduous and may present that he’s able to holding his personal in preseason. That would earn him a spot on the follow squad.
