Hubbry Logo
Jacoby FordJacoby FordMain
Open search
Jacoby Ford
Community hub
Jacoby Ford
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jacoby Ford
Jacoby Ford
from Wikipedia

Jacoby Ford (born July 27, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was also an accomplished track and field athlete. He played college football as a wide receiver and return specialist for the Clemson Tigers at Clemson University, where he competed in sprinting events. During his stint in the NFL, Ford was widely regarded as one of the fastest players in the league.[1] He has one of the top 100 meter times by NFL players.

Key Information

Ford has been the WR coach at West Boca Raton High School since 2023. Previously, he was a WR coach at Cardinal Newman, where he attended as a high schooler.

Ford received the 2022 Palm Beach County Legends Award[2] and was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.[3]

Early life

[edit]

His brother, Davy Ford, played football at Florida State. Jacoby attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he earned two letters in football and one in track. As a senior, he recorded 22 receptions for 550 yards and ten touchdowns. He was named the Palm Beach County All-Star Game most valuable player and a second-team all-state player.

In 2005, he attended preparatory school at the Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. There he recorded seven kick returns for touchdowns, 57 receptions for 1,254 yards and nine touchdowns, and 12 rushing attempts for 306 yards and three touchdowns.[4] At the Fork Union Military Academy combine, he reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.126 seconds.[5][6] Rivals.com ranked him the number-17 prep school player in the nation and called him the "fastest player on the East Coast". The head coach John Schuman called him "the fastest player ever at Fork Union", a school which has produced 87 NFL draft picks and two Heisman Trophy winners.[4]

Ford was recruited by Clemson, Florida, Michigan State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.[4]

College career

[edit]

Ford enrolled at Clemson University, where he majored in sociology. In 2006 as a true freshman, he saw action in 12 of 13 games. He recorded 15 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns, and eight rushing attempts for 104 yards, 23 punt returns for 166 yards and one touchdown, and 13 kick returns for 426 yards and one touchdown.[7]

During the 2007 football season, he saw action in eight of 13 games. He recorded 17 receptions for 310 yards and four touchdowns, 14 rushing attempts for 172 yards, 18 punt returns for 108 yards, and eight kick returns for 211 yards.[7] His season ended early when he suffered a broken ankle against Maryland.[8]

In 2008, he saw action in all 13 games. He recorded 55 receptions for 710 yards and four touchdowns, 18 rushing attempts for 96 yards, 21 punt returns for 62 yards, and 17 kick returns for 313 yards.[7]

Prior to the 2009 season, the NFL Draft Scout ranked Ford as the seventh out of 310 available wide receiver prospects for the 2010 NFL draft.[9]

In the Tigers' 40–24 victory over the Florida State Seminoles on November 7, 2009, Ford and C. J. Spiller became the greatest all-purpose duo in NCAA history (a record previously held by Marshall Faulk and Darnay Scott of San Diego State).

Track and field

[edit]

Ford was the 2005 Florida state 100-meter dash champion reportedly with a time of 10.32 seconds (he ran a wind assisted 10.21 on another occasion),[10] and 200-meter dash champion with a time of 21.18 seconds.[4]

During 2007, he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Indoor Freshman of the Year. In the 60-meter dash, he set an ACC record, and the national best for the year, at 6.52 seconds.[11] Ford was also named the Southeast Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, and he was awarded National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American, All-East Region, and All-ACC honors.[12]

In February 2009, at the Virginia Tech Elite Meet, Ford ran a 6.51-second 60-meter dash, which was one-hundredth of a second shy of the NCAA Championship meet record.[13] In March, he won the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.[14] During the track season, he was again named an NCAA All-American, All-East Region, and All-ACC athlete with a fastest time of 10.01.[12][15]

Personal bests
Event Time (seconds) Venue Date
60 meters 6.51 Blacksburg, Virginia February 28, 2009
100 meters 10.01 Fayetteville, Arkansas June 10, 2009[16]
200 meters 20.88 Coral Gables, Florida April 18, 2009

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 8+78 in
(1.75 m)
186 lb
(84 kg)
30+12 in
(0.77 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.28 s 1.48 s 2.50 s 4.44 s 7.00 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[17][18]

Oakland Raiders

[edit]

On April 24, Ford was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft with the 108th pick overall.[19] He had 6 receptions for 148 yards and also returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 7, 2010. This was his career-best receiving total. Ford was a pivotal weapon against the Chiefs recording 148 receiving yards, 47 yards of which came on a pass from Jason Campbell to set up Sebastian Janikowski for the 33-yard field goal to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 in overtime. For his spectacular play in Week 9 against Kansas City, Ford was voted as the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. Ford was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2010. He had a 94-yard touchdown on a kickoff return against the Kansas City Chiefs and a 101-yard return for a score against the Miami Dolphins, the latter the third longest in club history. On December 26, 2010, Ford returned the opening kickoff for 100 yards against the Indianapolis Colts, going end-to-end in 11 seconds.[20] Ford also holds the Raiders record for the most kickoff returns for a touchdown in a season at 3. During the Week 6 game of the 2011 season, Ford set the Raiders franchise record for the most kickoffs returned for touchdowns in franchise history with 4, after his 101-yard kick off return for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. In the offseason of 2014 the Raiders decided to not offer Ford a new contract.[21]

New York Jets

[edit]

Ford was signed by the New York Jets on April 1, 2014.[22] He was released on August 24.[23]

Tennessee Titans

[edit]

The Tennessee Titans signed Ford to a futures contract on January 14, 2015.[24] He signed a one-year, $660,000 contract but was waived as a part of the final cuts on September 5, 2015.

Edmonton Eskimos

[edit]

On February 19, 2016, he was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.[25] On June 19, 2016, Ford was released as a part of Edmonton's final roster cuts.

Montreal Alouettes

[edit]

After recovering from an injured hamstring, he was signed to the Alouettes' practice roster on July 8, 2016.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

[edit]

Ford signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for the 2017 season. He was released on April 25, 2018.

NFL statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Receptions Targets Reception Yards Yards per Reception Longest Reception Receiving Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Lost Fumbles
2010 OAK 16 25 53 470 18.8 52 2 19 0 0
2011 OAK 8 19 33 279 14.7 41 1 14 2 1
2013 OAK 14 13 24 99 7.6 22 0 5 1 1
Total Total 38 57 110 848 14.9 52 3 38 3 2

[26]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jacoby Ford (born July 27, 1987) is a former wide receiver and return specialist who played professionally in the (), most notably for the from 2010 to 2013. Known for his exceptional speed, Ford recorded the fastest time (4.28 seconds) at the , which contributed to his selection as a fourth-round pick (108th overall) in the after initially being chosen by the and traded to the Raiders. Over his four-season NFL career, he appeared in 38 games with 13 starts, amassing 57 receptions for 848 yards and three touchdowns, alongside two rushing touchdowns and four kick return touchdowns, establishing himself as a dynamic special teams player. Ford's athletic prowess extended beyond football to track and field during his college years at Clemson University, where he was a standout sprinter. He won the NCAA indoor national championship in the 60-meter dash in 2009 with a time of 6.51 seconds and was a four-time All-American, also claiming the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title in the event that year. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Ford initially attended Cardinal Newman High School before transferring to Fork Union Military Academy for his senior year, honing his skills as a multi-sport athlete. At Clemson from 2006 to 2009, he excelled as a wide receiver and returner, recording 143 receptions for 1,986 yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 1,124 kick return yards and one return touchdown, earning All-ACC honors in 2009. In the , Ford's rookie season in 2010 was his most productive, as he led the league with three kick return touchdowns—setting a single-season franchise record for the Raiders—and contributed 625 total scrimmage yards with seven touchdowns across receiving and rushing. Injuries hampered his subsequent years, limiting him to four games in and five in 2013, after which he was released by Oakland in 2014. He briefly signed with the in April 2014 but was released during preseason, and later joined the on a in January 2015, though he did not appear in regular-season games for either team. Ford concluded his professional career in the Canadian Football League before retiring. Since 2023, he has served as wide receivers coach at West Boca Raton High School.

Early years

Childhood and high school

Jacoby Ford was born on July 27, 1987, in . He grew up in a family with a strong athletic heritage; his mother, Patricia Ford, was a standout track athlete who anchored the state championship 4x100-meter relay team at in 1979, while his father, Davy Ford Sr., and brother, Davy Ford Jr., also pursued competitive sports, with the latter playing at . Ford attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, where he earned two varsity letters in football and one in . As a senior in 2004, he excelled as a , recording 22 receptions for 550 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him MVP honors in the 2005 Palm Beach County All-Star Game. His track prowess shone in his only year competing for the school, culminating in a state championship win in the 100-meter dash at the 2005 meet, where he clocked a time of 10.32 seconds. Seeking to enhance his recruiting profile ahead of college, Ford transferred to in for a postgraduate year in 2005. There, he posted impressive football numbers with 57 receptions for 1,254 yards, showcasing his speed and receiving ability. He also ran a verified 4.126-second during his time at the academy, a mark that highlighted his elite athleticism. This performance at Fork Union paved the way for his commitment to .

Athletic beginnings

Jacoby Ford was born on July 27, 1987, in , into a family deeply immersed in athletics. His father, Davy Ford Sr., had been a at , and his mother, Patricia Ford, starred in track there as the anchor of the state championship 4x100 relay team. Ford's older brother, Davy Ford, extended the family's football legacy by playing at from 1997 to 2000. This athletic household provided strong support and inspiration for Ford's pursuits, instilling a competitive drive from a young age. Recognizing his son's innate speed early on, Ford's father, a former himself, encouraged him to develop it through both football and track activities alongside his peers. This guidance fostered Ford's foundational skills as a versatile during his elementary and middle school years in West Palm Beach, where community sports programs offered initial outlets for his talents, particularly in football. His emerging quickness and agility in these settings built the discipline and multi-sport adaptability that characterized his later development at Cardinal Newman High School.

College career

Football

Jacoby Ford enrolled at in 2006 and played for the Tigers football team through the 2009 season, majoring in and graduating in 2009. As a and , Ford utilized his exceptional speed—honed through parallel success in —to stretch defenses and create explosive plays, averaging 13.9 yards per reception over his career. His versatility allowed him to contribute both as a pass catcher and on special teams, including punt and kick returns, where he scored three return touchdowns during his tenure. Ford's most productive season came in 2008, when he recorded 55 receptions for 710 yards and four , ranking among the Atlantic Coast Conference leaders in receptions (sixth), receiving yards (fifth), and receiving (sixth). Over his full career, he amassed 143 receptions for 1,986 yards and 16 receiving , along with 494 rushing yards on 58 carries, showcasing his multi-faceted role in Clemson's offense. Notable performances included a 75-yard reception in a 2006 rivalry game against , highlighting his big-play ability early in his college career. During Ford's time at Clemson, the Tigers competed in the ACC, finishing with records of 9-4 in 2006, 9-4 in 2007, 7-6 in 2008, and 9-5 in 2009, with appearances in four consecutive bowl games: the (loss to in 2006), Chick-fil-A Bowl (loss to Auburn in 2007), (loss to following the 2008 season), and (win over in 2009). Ford contributed to these efforts, particularly in 2009 when he led the team with nine total touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing, one on punt return). Pre-draft evaluations praised Ford's elite speed, evidenced by his 4.28-second at the —the fastest time among all participants—and his versatility as a slot receiver, returner, and occasional rusher, which positioned him as an immediate special teams asset with deep-threat potential. These attributes led to his selection by the in the fourth round (108th overall) of the .

Track and field

Jacoby Ford's career began to flourish in high school, where he won the Class 2A state championship in the 100-meter dash in 2005 with a wind-aided time of 10.32 seconds, establishing a strong foundation for his collegiate dominance at . At Clemson, Ford excelled in sprint events, capturing the indoor 60-meter dash national championship in 2009 by running 6.51 seconds in the preliminary round, followed by a 6.52-second final that tied the meet record. He also set (ACC) records in the 60-meter dash, first as a in with 6.52 seconds and improving it to 6.51 seconds in 2009, while winning the ACC indoor title in the event multiple times. In outdoor competition, Ford claimed the ACC 100-meter dash championship in 2009 with a time of 10.28 seconds into a headwind and later ran a personal best of 10.01 seconds at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, earning All-American honors in the event. Overall, he garnered multiple All-American accolades across sprint disciplines during his Clemson tenure, including four such honors for his performances in the 60-meter and 100-meter dashes. Ford's exceptional track speed, evidenced by his sub-4.3-second equivalents derived from his sprint times, significantly enhanced his profile as an NFL draft prospect by highlighting his elite acceleration and straight-line quickness. This prowess also translated briefly to his role as a in , where his sprinting ability allowed for explosive plays on kickoffs and punts.

NFL career

Oakland Raiders

Jacoby Ford was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round, 108th overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft after a standout combine performance where he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time overall at 4.28 seconds. As a rookie in 2010, Ford quickly emerged as a dynamic return specialist and occasional wide receiver, appearing in all 16 games with nine starts. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for November after returning two kickoffs for touchdowns—a 94-yard return against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 7 and a 101-yard return against the Miami Dolphins on November 28—while also contributing 283 receiving yards and one touchdown reception that month. Additionally, his performance in Week 9, which included 148 receiving yards, the 94-yard kickoff return touchdown, and a rushing touchdown, led to him being named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. Over his four seasons with the Raiders from to , Ford played in 38 games with 13 starts, recording 57 receptions for 848 yards and three receiving touchdowns, alongside 19 rushes for 201 yards and two rushing scores. His most significant impact came on special teams, where he amassed 1,874 kickoff return yards on 75 attempts, including four touchdowns that highlighted his elite speed. In alone, Ford led the with three kickoff return touchdowns and set a Raiders single-season record with 1,280 return yards, averaging 24.2 yards per return. He also received AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition in Weeks 9 and 16 of , as well as Week 6 of 2011 for a 101-yard kickoff return against the . Ford's return prowess peaked with standout plays like his 101-yard kickoff touchdown against the on October 16, 2011, which helped secure a 24-17 victory and tied for the third-longest in Raiders history at the time. He holds the franchise record for the most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season with three in 2010, a mark that underscored his role as one of the league's premier returners during his tenure. Ford was released by the Raiders in March 2014, paving the way for his signing with the .

New York Jets and Tennessee Titans

After being released by the Oakland Raiders following the 2013 season, Jacoby Ford signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent on April 1, 2014, primarily to bolster their wide receiver depth and return game options. During training camp and preseason, Ford competed for roles as a wideout and special teams returner but struggled to secure a consistent spot amid a crowded receiver corps, recording limited snaps without standout performances. He was released by the Jets on August 24, 2014, as part of roster reductions to 75 players ahead of the deadline, ending his brief tenure without appearing in any regular-season games. Ford remained unsigned for the entire before joining the on a reserve/ on January 14, 2015, again targeting opportunities as a leveraging his prior experience. Throughout the 2015 training camp and preseason, he participated in practices and drills, vying for a roster spot in a competitive group, but did not record significant statistics or secure a defined role. The Titans waived Ford on September 5, 2015, during final cuts to reach the 53-man roster, marking another short-lived opportunity without regular-season action. These stints represented Ford's attempts to revive his NFL career as a versatile returner and depth receiver after his more productive years with the Raiders, though injuries from prior seasons and roster competition limited his involvement to off-season and camp periods.

NFL statistics

Jacoby Ford's NFL career spanned four seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 2010 to 2013, during which he appeared in 38 games. Over this period, he recorded 57 receptions for 848 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, 19 rushing attempts for 201 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, and 75 kickoff returns for 1,874 yards and 4 touchdowns, contributing to a total of 9 touchdowns. He also had 9 punt returns for 77 yards. The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Ford's receiving, rushing, and return statistics:
YearTeamGamesReceptionsReceiving YardsReceiving TDsRushing AttemptsRushing YardsRushing TDsKickoff ReturnsKickoff Return YardsKickoff Return TDsPunt ReturnsPunt Return Yards
2010OAK16254702101552531,280300
2011OAK8192791431011341100
2012OAK000000000000
2013OAK14139905150112530977
Career Totals38578483192012751,8744977
Ford's 1,874 kickoff return yards rank 8th in history, while his 4 kickoff return touchdowns set the franchise record.

CFL career

Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes

After being released by the NFL's in 2015, Jacoby Ford attracted interest from the Canadian Football League due to his proven speed as a during his tenure. On February 19, 2016, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos as a , bringing his elite 4.28-second time to bolster the team's offensive options. Ford appeared in Edmonton's preseason games but recorded no receptions, limiting his impact during the brief stint. Ford was released by the Eskimos on June 19, 2016, as part of final roster cuts ahead of the regular season, amid a injury that sidelined him for several weeks. After recovering, he joined the Alouettes' in July 2016, where he remained through the season without appearing in any regular-season games. His time with focused on acclimating to the CFL's larger field and distinct rules, though he saw no on-field action as a receiver or returner during this period. Ford's early CFL experiences with both teams yielded minimal statistics, with zero games played, receptions, or return yards in the regular season, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from the as a specialized speed threat.

Jacoby Ford joined the late in the 2017 season, signing to the team's practice roster on September 20, 2017, as a and after previous unsuccessful stints with the Edmonton Eskimos and Alouettes in 2016. Despite his reputation for speed from his NFL days, Ford did not appear in any regular-season games or record statistics during the 2017 campaign. The Roughriders re-signed Ford in February 2018, providing another opportunity to contribute as a . However, his tenure ended abruptly during the team's mini-camp when he suffered a leg injury on the first day, leading to his release on April 25, 2018. This marked the conclusion of Ford's professional playing career, with no further attempts to return to the field after the release.

CFL statistics

Jacoby Ford's tenure in the from 2016 to 2018 was marked by minimal on-field involvement, with no regular season game appearances for the Eskimos, Montreal Alouettes, or . Despite signing contracts and participating in training camps and practice squads, injuries and roster decisions limited his opportunities, resulting in zero recorded statistics across all categories. In total, Ford had 0 games played, 0 receptions, 0 receiving yards, 0 rushing attempts, 0 return yards, and 0 touchdowns in the CFL. His sparse play contrasted with the larger scale of return opportunities in the , where he logged significant yardage as a specialist, though he transitioned to the CFL seeking a pro revival without achieving comparable production.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

Following his release from the in 2018, Jacoby Ford transitioned to high school coaching, beginning at his , Cardinal Newman High School, where he served as the wide receivers coach. In 2023, Ford moved to West Boca Raton High School in , to take on the same role under Dylan Potts, an opportunity that arose unexpectedly after leaving Cardinal Newman. At West Boca Raton, Ford has contributed to a remarkable turnaround for the program's football team, which achieved a state championship in Class 6A in , marking Palm Beach County's first title since Dwyer High School's 2013 championship. As wide receivers coach, Ford works closely with the position group to develop skills essential for success in modern offenses, drawing on his professional experience to emphasize route-running precision and explosive plays. His involvement has been credited with enhancing team depth and performance, particularly in the passing game. Ford's presence on the staff has had a broader positive impact on the and surrounding , providing inspiration for student-athletes and fostering greater engagement in the program. Head coach Potts has noted that having a former standout like Ford in the building motivates the players and strengthens ties with the local area.

Awards and honors

After retiring from professional football, Ford was honored with the 2022 Palm Beach County Legends Award, recognizing his contributions as a former NFL player and Clemson athlete from the region. In 2022, he was also inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame as a two-sport athlete. In 2024, Ford was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024, celebrating his achievements in football and track from his high school days at Cardinal Newman through his professional career.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.