Jaylan Ford not holding anything back for this year's opportunity against Alabama
In one of the most anticipated non-conference games of the 2023 season, Texas heads to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. It’s a rematch of last season’s game in Austin. Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford wants to make up for last season’s loss in this game.
Ford explained that he and Texas have an attitude coming into this game and that he’s feeling pressure to finally reach his goals as a college athlete.
“I think the way we set it up this year, as far as Sark [Steve Sarkisian] talking about ‘Fail World Tour’ and ’embrace the hate’ and all that,” Jaylan Ford said. “I think for all of us, this is just, especially for me being my senior year, this is my last chance at the University of Texas to really go out there and accomplish what I’ve been working so hard for since the day I got here to accomplish.”
This next game for Texas is going to be against Alabama. It’s a marquee matchup and Ford knows that he needs to be at his best and not hold anything back.
“So, I think for me, just little things like knowing how many days it’s been or just making sure all my guys’ head spaces are right, and doing whatever I can do so that everyone on our team is in the best position to go out and win, not only from this game coming up but every game from here on out. So, we can get the opportunity to go play for those titles that we want so badly,” Ford said.
“So, I think that’s probably been my major thing is just what can I do, not holding anything back.”
Jaylan Ford says the Longhorns will adapt to Alabama’s dual threat quarterback
Jalen Milroe is expected to take the majority of snaps at quarterback for Alabama. He presents a lot of challenges, including a dual threat ability. However, Jaylan Ford expected Texas to be able to adapt to that dual threat capability.
“It is definitely a different kind of factor when you have a guy like Milroe with his athleticism in the backfield. It’s a whole different type of test, making sure our rush lanes are straight making sure everybody’s containing him. He presents a different factor when he’s able to use his legs,” Ford said.
“I will say though, I think Bryce [Young] did a good job of using his legs last year when he when he needed them. So I think this this year, emphasis on containing the quarterback remains the same.”
Ford added that Texas will have a plan for Milroe.
“We’ll definitely have a game plan for how to contain [Milroe]. You know, it’s Monday, so we’ll dig more into it. I think I’ll be able to just be me, kind of do what I do. So we’ll see – it might call for that, it might not. I say we definitely have players that if we need to do that can fill that role. So I don’t really see that being a heavy burden for us.”