Miami Hurricanes DT Jon Ford returning strengthens rotation
The return of Miami Hurricanes tackle Jon Ford strengthens the depth of the rotation on the interior of the defensive line.
As announced via Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Jon Ford he will be returning for a fifth season. Ford is taking advantage of the extra season granted to all fall sports athletes by the NCAA. Ford will need a strong 2021 season to improve his potential of being drafted.
Ford was passed on the depth chart by redshirt freshman Jared Harrison-Hunte during the 2020 season. After Harrison-Hunte was injured, Ford reascended to his first-team position. Ford has 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks during his Miami career. Ford set a career-high with 19 tackles in 2020.
Ford did not record a TFL or sack in 2020. All three of his career sacks and half of his TFLs came during the 2019 season. Ford entered Miami with a high upside because of his 6’5, 318-pound frame. Miami will be waiting on junior DT Nesta Silvera to make his decision if he will return for the 2021 season.
Silvera played in all 11 Miami games with 10 starts in 2020. Ford played in nine games with 10 starts in 2020. If Silvera returns Miami should have everyone back at DT barring a transfer. Harrison-Hunte had a breakout 2020 season. Miami should return three other veterans at DT to add depth in 2021.
Ford added the caption “Verified I deserve so much more 🙏🏾💯💪🏾. #LLTater #SipMama #LLPooka #LLCleve #LLTJ #LLDP #LLRU 🥀” on top of the Instagram post he released above. Ford should contend to be a starter with Harrison-Hunte and if Silvera returns for the 2021 season.
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller redshirt freshmen Jason Blissett and Jalar Holley are likely to be a part of the rotation for Miami at DT this fall. Miller had 11 tackles, one TFL and one sack in 2020. Blissett had seven tackles and Holley finished the season with six tackles.
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Also part of the rotation for Miami at DT in 2021 will be five-star freshman Leonard Taylor. Taylor was the 10th ranked signee, top-ranked DT and third-ranked signee in Florida in 2021. Miami also has three-star signee, Allan Haye. With the depth Miami will have at DT in 2021, Haye is a likely candidate to redshirt.