Jaylan Ford opens up on his message to Texas teammates after loss in CFP semifinal

The Texas Longhorns season ended in disappointment, falling to the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl. For players like Jaylan Ford, it was a major disappointment to get to the College Football Playoff but still fall short.

After that loss, Ford opened up about his message to his Texas teammates following the loss in the CFP semifinal.

“I just told them I was proud of them,” Jaylan Ford said. “Kind of like what Coach [Steve Sarkisian] was saying, this whole year we sacrificed a lot in order to build this team into the way we wanted it.”

For the most part, Texas played from behind in the loss to Washington. Still, on the final play of the game, the Longhorns had a throw into the end zone to try and potentially win the game. As Jaylan Ford explained, up until that final moment did he give up hope that the team had a chance.

“And I think, like he said, at the end of that [game], we went all the way up until the last play. I’m just proud of my guys for never giving up. Not once did I ever believe that until that clock hit zero that we didn’t have a chance.”

Jaylan Ford led the Texas defense in the Sugar Bowl with 10 total tackles in the game. That came after he showed up consistently for the Longhorns, grabbing 101 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, and two interceptions on the season. It was the second season in a row he had more than 100 total tackles and more than 10 tackles for a loss.

A senior, Ford has been with Texas through some difficult times and has been a key figure in bringing the program back to the top end of the sport. He helped lead the defense to the College Football Playoff. None of what he or that Texas team did in 2023 can be understated, even amid a loss to end the year.

Colt McCoy answers if Texas is back

Texas made the College Football Playoff, is moving to the SEC, and seems primed to take advantage of the NIL space. That’s why former quarterback Colt McCoy is fired up about the Longhorns.

“Obviously, NIL has changed the game, right? I think Nick Saban said it best. Like, it is what it is. It’s the semi-pro league, right? I think Texas has an edge there. I really do. Sark, you know, his experience in the NFL, calling offense in the NFL? You know, seeing how the NFL works? I think, you know, college football is a little bit more corporate now. Texas has a lot of resources,” McCoy said.

“I think they have put themselves in a position over the last three years with Sark. They got to the College Football Playoff, had a chance to win. Moving into the SEC? I think they’re gonna compete. I think they’re gonna compete really well. Everybody’s pretty bullish on them. I’m fired up.”