The Illinois football team might be on the receiving end of a transfer from a talented former recruiting target.
Jake Rowe of 247Sports posted this morning that Luke Ford is considering a transfer from the University of Georgia. The decision to transfer hasn’t been made yet, but it looks like Ford is down to just two programs he might end up with next season.
Ford was a 6-foot-6, 248-pound tight end from Carterville High School in Carterville, Illinois. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 51 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 3 tight end in the nation. He was also the best player to come out of Illinois in 2018 as well.
According to the article by Rowe, Ford has put his name into the NCAA transfer portal and is potentially looking to play somewhere else in the future. Ford mentions in the article that the possibility of him coming back to Georgia is still there. But, Illinois is the only other school he would pick.
Why would Illinois be the only other option for Ford? His grandpa has been sick and continues to get sicker. Ford wants his grandpa to see him play college football and it is difficult for him to make the trip down to Georgia.
This has to be an extremely tough decision. As a teenager, to have the weight of this decision on your shoulders is intense. I couldn’t imagine being in this situation. I hope nothing but the best for Ford’s family, his grandpa’s health and the future of this kid. Overall, I want him to do whatever makes sense for him and his family. Everyone from the Illini Nation will support Ford in whatever decision he makes.
We all support him in his personal life and the decision he has to make no matter what. But, let’s now separate the football side and to see the ramifications if Ford does decide to come back and play for the Illini.
The tight end position is weak for Illinois right now. We could use Ford, so maybe he could get a waiver to play immediately. He would start as a sophomore for the Illini. I believe the No. 2 tight end would then be Daniel Barker. Could you imagine what the Illinois offense would look like with Ford?
Illinois would have a four-star quarterback in Isaiah Williams, a four-star tight end with Ford, a four-star wide receiver in Ricky Smalling, an offensive line that was one of the best in the nation and a running back who went over 1,000 yards last season in Reggie Corbin. I am not even mentioning the rest of the crew who could do some impressive things.
If Ford sees Georgia as the best place to stay, then that is great. If he sees Illinois as the best place to transfer, then that is great. I honestly want him to make the best decision for him and his family. From a football perspective, getting a player like Ford would be huge for the Illinois program.