Pac-12 Player Profile: Utah’s Nick Ford

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Utah’s Nick Ford

POSITION: Center
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 315
CLASS: Junior
HOME TOWN: San Pedro, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: San Pedro H.S.

Having played every spot on the offensive line as a Ute, it made sense that Nick Ford would replace Orlando Umana at center when his fellow All-Pac-12 lineman went down in 2020.

With Ford anchoring the middle of the O-line, the Utah offense mounted a ground game that ranked third in the Pac-12, averaging 194 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry, while allowing just 1.4 sacks per contest.

Projected as a Third/Fourth-Round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the California native determined that it would be in his best interest to return for another season in Salt Lake City.

That decision, along with the return of tight end Brant Kuithe, assured Utah’s relatively young and developing offensive line two reliable cornerstones of leadership and stability.

Which speaks to another of Ford’s motivations for coming back: When he finally does hear his name called in the 2022 Draft, he hopes to be wearing a Pac-12 Championship ring.