Interview: 4-Star 2022 Missouri DE Tyson Ford has Early Recruiting Favorites
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The rules of football are set up to be fair, but life on the gridiron is anything but, especially when Tyson Ford is on the field. Rules are rules, but Ford breaks the thin vail in the trenches using his size, speed, and strength setting up shop in Missouri backfields for fun abusing tackles, running backs, and quarterbacks for four quarters every game. During the 2019 season, the four-star Burroughs standout earned first team All-District and All-Conference, and was a third team All-State selection, after causing chaos on the other side of the line in opposing Missouri 3A offenses. The 6-6- 250-pound, defensive end has collegiate defensive coordinators dreaming with 16 offers dropped.
After a long Q&A interview with the St. Louis area prospect, if you were impressed a year ago with Ford’s abilities, something else is instore whenever the 2020 season gets going. In an RNG first-look, Ford stopped by the Lab breaking down his hard offseason workouts with an update on his recruiting.
Interview
Tyson, the Bombers defense during the 2019 season seemed ideal for you. What were you guys executing a year ago and where all were you lining up?
We ran more of a 4-3, but we had a linebacker come in doing most of the blitzing and pass rushing. That opened up things for me allowing me to beat my man while getting to the quarterback. We were applying pressure with all the pass rushers and athletes that we have.
Yes, you guys did a great job of that. Regardless of the down, your speed off the snap had you hanging out in the backfield creating chaos. Beyond your speed, what was working for you last season leading to that big performance?
My aggression. I was trying to make sure I beat everyone I go against to show that I am the best. I put in the work to be the best. There are not many offensive linemen quick enough to stop me.
During the 2020 season, what defense will the Bombers execute?
We are still running the same 4-3 set up, but I know we are doing more zone, Cover 3, and trying to blitz on third and fourth down. We are trying to work on not being beat down field by receivers. Nothing too much changes up front for me, but they’ve given me more freedom. My coach lets me choose pre-snap the gap I want to take. He knows I watch a lot of film on my own and that I have a good idea of the plays they are running.
That’ll be fun for you. Where all are you lining up on the field this season? Will we see you playing linebacker at all?
I know I will be in the rotation at tight end. We have a talented senior starting there; we make a great one-two punch. I will still be at defensive end. I am not going to play linebacker this season. We have talented linebackers. They are really good, and good in coverage and containing. I have not worked on coverage.
What have you been working on with your technique this spring and summer?
I have been doing a lot of hand work, knowing when to use them at the right time. I have been working on staying low. Last season, I came off the ball high. Because I was fast and they were less athletic, it worked for me but at the next level technique will be really important. I want to be exceptional at the next level. I am working hard to make it happen.
With the hand work and hand fighting, what moves have you been working on this spring and summer?
I have been working on my arms, the long arm keeping my body away from the lineman using my length. My counter moves have been a focus. If a move does not work, if a rip does not work, I have been working on spinning off on the inside. I have been working on my speed in tight spaces. Offensive linemen are slower, but they may be good with their feet.
How have you worked to add more speed and power to your game?
Over the summer I went to Florida, to Tampa, my cousin lives there. He used to play pro basketball. He trained me for two weeks. We’d run 5 to 10 miles a day on the beach. When I was there, we were working on my jumping and explosiveness to become more athletic while keeping my size. I did a lot of weight lifting too. We were working out two to three times a day, that was back in July.
Now what I am doing with school, I am usually free on Mondays. On Tuesday, I work out with my defensive line trainer working on my footwork and hands. On Wednesday, I do speed, agility, and explosiveness training. On Thursday, I am training again with my defensive line trainer. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, those are the days we have team practices. Saturday is another defensive line training day for me. On Sunday, I do another speed training session in the morning before practice.
Who is your cousin that was training you in Tampa?
Tony Rivers, they called him Windmill. He is a big name in St. Louis.
With all the training you’ve been doing, especially with your speed, did you clock a 40 time this offseason?
Yes, I ran a 4.7.
Impressive. How are you seeing everything come together through fall camp with the Bombers after all this hard work put into your game?
It has been really good. I have not been able to get a lot of good looks, I’ve been going against our JV offense. The people blocking me are not as experienced. But I can see my awareness, hand work, footwork, and speed off the ball has improved. I am 100 percent better than last year.
That is scary for all the folks in Missouri. The schedule for the Bombers has the first game of the 2020 season on Saturday playing Priory, is that game still a go?
That game was just cancelled yesterday. They cancelled it. We are onto Week 8.
Week 8? Are they going to go back and make up the other games that were cancelled? What is the schedule after that for you guys?
We have practice on Friday; our coach will let us know what is going on then. We are trying to get a season in now. The seniors are trying to get recognized. We may end up playing in the spring. It is not looking good in the fall.
Let’s turn to a fun topic – recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Louisville is showing hard interest, but FSU is probably recruiting me the most but has not offered. I have talked to Ohio State and I talked to Alabama over the summer. Ole Miss is up there too.
How many programs have dropped a scholarship offer?
Sixteen.
Nice. Which program was the last to offer?
Michigan.
Ford’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Purdue, Texas A&M, and Washington
Going back to last season, did you get to take any unofficial visits before the campuses were closed off?
I did. I visited Indiana for their Junior Day, I saw Iowa State before they offered me, and we went to Mizzou. When I saw Mizzou, that was their head coach’s (Eliah Drinkwitz) first practice.
Virtual visits started happening over the summer, did you take any of those?
I took one with Notre Dame. Nebraska tried to set one up, but it never worked out.
If visits were allowed next week, are there any schools you’d like to visit?
I’d love to visit Notre Dame; they are my favorite school as of right now. I want to see Mizzou, Michigan, and Michigan State. Iowa State – I’d like to be there for a game. I like their crowd and their coaches. Arizona State, that will probably be an official visit.
Tyson, I enjoyed getting time in with you today. I appreciate you catching us up on your workouts and giving us insight to the Bombers 2020 season as it stands today. Hoping you guys get a full season in, whenever that may happen.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Ford family; Tyson Ford at Missouri