Jaylan Ford named Sporting News Preseason All-American
Texas senior linebacker Jaylan Ford was named a second team Sporting News All-American, the outlet announced on Tuesday. It marks the first time Ford has earned the distinction from the Sporting News.
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Ford, a Frisco (Texas) Lone Star native, had a breakout season in 2022, earning AP All-American accolades after leading the Longhorns with a career-high 119 tackles (61 solo), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder logged 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. And his four interceptions tied the single-season interception record for a Texas linebacker, last accomplished by Derrick Johnson in 2002 and 2003. Ford is in his fourth-year at linebacker who has played in 35 games with 15 starts.
All four of his interceptions led to Texas touchdowns, while his two fumble recoveries clinched victories over Kansas State and Iowa State. Ford’s 119 total tackles were the most in a season for a Longhorn since 2014 (Jordan Hicks – 147; Steve Edmond – 131).
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Ford was a 2022 first-team All-Big 12 selection by both the Big 12 Conference and the Associated Press and named the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Defensive Player of the Year. Ford is the first Longhorn to earn the conference’s preseason defensive player of the year accolade since Malik Jefferson was chosen ahead of the 2016 season.
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In addition to the Sporting News All-American nod, Ford has also been recognized on the Lott IMPACT Award, Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award preseason watch lists and tabbed the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and a Preseason All-Big 12 honoree by the conference’s media representatives.
