Jackson Ford already has a legacy at Penn State, and the guy hasn’t even finished his first spring camp.
After Penn State fired James Franklin in October, 24 of the school’s Class of 2026 commits de-committed.
Ford was the only one who stayed committed, and ended up closing the deal on Early Signing Day.
That alone makes Ford a fan favorite, and he’ll be even more beloved if he proves himself on the field at the college level.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, the defensive end already looks the part as a true freshman, and coach Matt Campbell talked with reporters about Ford after practice Thursday, April 9.
WHAT CAMPBELL SAID
“I think probably what he can do this fall will be what happens between now and the end of fall camp. But I think what you said, his physical tools and physical ability, it’s been really impressive, and again, I think the maturity. He comes from a really great high school football program (Malvern Prep), has a great high school football coach, (Dave Gueriera). I got to get there in the short time that I was able to go out on the road. So I left there super impressed with what his high school program was about, and I think he brought that maturity here.”
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To be a great player, Ford will have to show that he can be consistent, as is the case with any true freshman.
“He’s a guy that has stood out in really every phase,” Campbell said. “Winter conditioning. For him to get up in the morning and compete the way he competed. For him to then come into a brand new defense, a lot going on, and I feel his adjustments one day at a time have been really impressive.”
“As any young player, can you consistently do those things every day? Can you be trusted enough to find a role on the football team? I think he’ll certainly have the ability to compete to do that as we get into fall camp.”
