Jason Ford, the 5-foot-10, 215 pound running back from Althoff Catholic in Belleville (Ill.), already has five scholarship offers. Ford says that Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas and Kansas State have all officially offered him. His first scholarship came from the Wildcats last September, but the school that he grew up watching, Miami, has not offered. "I just used to love watching Miami play," Ford said.
Ford said he favors Illinois and Wisconsin slightly over Iowa, Tennessee and Michigan.
"Illinois is only three hours away and I don't want to go more than eight hours away," Ford said. "I also really like the coaches. Coach Ron Zook is a really good person. We've talked about school and life and not just football. He seems really honest and caring. They all seem very down-to-earth and the team is really coming around. I think I'd be able to play early there and help out."
He already attended junior days at Notre Dame and Wisconsin and is planning on going to 7-on-7 camps with his team at Notre Dame and Iowa. "Wisconsin is probably my favorite campus that I've seen so far," he said. "I love how everything is close together and how important football is over there."
Ford is also planning on attending the Iowa Junior Day on March 25.
Although neither Tennessee nor Michigan has offered Ford yet, he thinks the Vols are close. "They seem really interested," Ford said. "I think they'll be offering me soon.
"I love the tradition at Michigan and they have a powerful offense. They have a great running game and always produce great backs.
"I'd like to play early and have a great relationship with my coaches," Ford said. "I want to play for a running team where I'll be able to make an impact."
Ford says that he hopes to make his decision before the start of his senior year. "I'll see how the spring and summer goes," he said. "I'd like to make a commitment by the end of the summer in August."
He finished his junior year with 1545 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Ford has a 39-inch vertical jump. "I'm strong and have good speed," Ford said. "I make good moves and have great vision. I'm a bit of a punisher when I run, but I also have speed (claims to run a 4.4 forty).
"I want to improve my pass blocking and lateral moves," he said. "That way I'll be able to break tackles better and not put so much pressure on my body."
He reports a 2.0 core GPA and is taking the ACT on April 14.