RECRUITING: Point Taken

Leesville running back Michael Ford a little miffed at All-Star snub

by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst

Two of the nation’s premier All-American high school football games to take place this year were the Under Armour Bowl and the U.S Army All-American game.

While their rosters included some of the nation’s top collegiate prospects, it did not include them all as Leesville product Michael Ford fell short of making the cut.

After rushing for nearly 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns during his senior campaign, Ford’s short coming came as a surprise not only to everyone in Louisiana, but also to Ford himself.

“I was kind of mad I didn’t get to go to the Under Armour or the Army game, but I guess everything happens for a reason,” Ford admitted. “Now I’m just looking forward to having a bright future at LSU.”

Heading into his senior season Ford informed TigerRag.com he was out to prove he was the best running back in the state. Ford missed most of his junior season due to a broken collarbone and he believed many people had forgotten about him much like this year’s major all-star games.

Not everyone forgot about the 4-Star prospect however. He was invited to this past weekend’s inaugural Sportsman’s Paradise Bowl. And like his senior season, Ford entered the game looking to make a statement.

“Yeah I guess you could say I was trying to prove myself again,” Ford confirmed. “Every time you’re on the field you try to prove you’re the best and every time you go out there you want them to know you’re always going to be the best.”

Ford certainly did not disappoint as he scored the first touchdown of the game for the Red Saints. He turned a five-yard reception into a 78-yard touchdown as he scampered down the field juking and dodging defenders.

“I was just out there having fun,” Ford commented on the Sportsman’s Paradise Bowl. “I had good guys around me and it seemed like everyone was blocking for me on that play and I was trying my best to get away from the defense. I was working on my footwork and everything just kind of slowed down and I was able to make my moves.”

Ford used his moves again later in the game as he reached the end zone for a second time on a one yard run. Ford finished the game with 78 yards receiving and 17 yards rushing on seven carries with two touchdowns. He was also named the Red team’s offensive MVP.