Finally, the time has come for Luke Ford to hit the field for the Illinois football team.
The former No. 42 ranked recruit in the nation in the class of 2018, and Carterville, Illinois native, originally committed to Georgia but transferred back home to be closer to family and his ailing grandfather. After being denied a waiver to play immediately, the long-awaited debut is just days away.
The physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end will immediately make his presence felt in the running and passing game with the Illini. Ford has no shortage of prep accolades, as he ranked as the No. 1 overall tight end in the nation, a US Army All-American, the top recruit in the state of Illinois in addition to multiple accolades in track & field.
My Grandpa just passed on to a better place in heaven. Love you Papa! I’m sorry you didn’t get to see me play in person, my heart is devastated... Rest in Paradise 🌴❤️
— Luke Ford (@lukeford82) February 19, 2020
Luke Ford is the No. 5 highest-ranked recruit in the history of Illini football and the highest-ranked tight end recruit in program history.
Coach Rod Smith’s offense certainly has room for a prolific tight end with the amount of short passing and zone running tendencies, and while Daniel Barker has produced in the red zone, the Illini have largely lacked an in-between the hashes presence.
As much as the Illini could have utilized the tight end in 2019, Ford’s entry to the offense comes at an ideal time where Brandon Peters has developed into a top-tier Big Ten quarterback, Coach Smith has infused a roster built for his schemes and the Illini have cemented a high-level perimeter field stretch in Josh Imatorbhebe.
There is no ceiling to Ford’s potential this season and beyond with the Illini.
In terms of labeling a starter and projecting playing time, I think both Ford and Barker will see a ton of action early and often.
In previous pieces, there was a clear precedent set by the player’s previous experience or a similar personnel piece of the past, but Ford is entering uncharted territory with the Illini. With a more confident and experience Peters under center and a large exodus at the running back spot, Ford should be on track to swallow up about five targets per game as a safety blanket and as an athletic route runner after settling in for a few games.
With Imatorbhebe and Brian Hightower stretching the field as vertical threats with speed, Ford is the top candidate to be the third-most prolific receiving threat in terms of pure statistics. Ford and Barker are a strong bet to compete for the most red zone targets and receiving touchdowns on the roster, but Ford’s largest contributions might not be through the air.
The Illini offensive line has received due recognition with a strong returning group and a potential top three round pick in 2021 with Kendrick Green, and Ford will only provide more strength in the trenches. Expect consistency from Ford as a run blocker and a number of slip-offs that provide the extra inches the Illini will require.
Coach Smith has never shied away from innovation, creativity and tempo, making Ford the exact type of piece who can progress and become a prominent contributor very quickly. The fact that Ford has had a full year to digest and get his head around the playbook should not go unnoticed, providing another piece for optimism in year one for the talented tight end.
A destructive run blocker, a consistent threat in the seams and a red zone icon, Ford’s patience will finally pay off in 2020 with the Illini in a multitude of ways.
Ford’s presence off of the field and as an icon on campus was immediate, and I expect similar results on the field. In the 2020 season, expect Ford to fully fulfill the esteem he has brought since making the decision to return to the home state Fighting Illini.
Statistical Projection
8 games, 29 catches, 321 yards and 5 touchdowns