The Nittany Lions recruited 2019 high 4-star running back Devyn Ford extremely hard. The relationship began to build stronger between the coaching staff and Ford. In April, I made my Penn state lock prediction, meaning I felt no team was a threat to PSU for Ford. No one believed it seeing that Virginia Tech had the majority crystal ball prediction on 247 sports. On May 18th 2018, my lock prediction became correct.
The North Stafford star committed to Penn State after being a long time priority target. He plays out of Stafford, Virginia. Ford was ranked the 2nd prospect overall in the state of Virginia, 5th running back, and 80th ranked prospect in the country by 247 sports for the 2019 class. He rushed for 1, 159 yards and 28 touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 421 yards. On his career, he has rushed for a total of 6,197 yards and 102 touchdowns and totaled 845 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
At 5-11 191 Ford has the power and speed to be a game changer for Penn state joining Rickey Slade, Journey Brown, and possibly Micah Parson in what would be a dominant backfield for years to come. I talked with him about why he committed to Penn state and how special the future of Penn state at running back can be. Ford also explained how his longtime friend and 2018 elite tackle NaNa Asiedu is handling having to leave the team.
LJ: You were such a big deal for Penn State fans. Why did you pick Penn state?
Devyn: I picked PSU because of Coach Franklin and the family atmosphere that he preaches, the pursuit in what I want to study and close enough but far enough from home.
LJ: What separates you from other running backs in your class? What makes you the best?
Devyn: I believe my ability to understand the game as a whole, every piece to the puzzle that makes the offense work.
LJ: Virginia is a competitive state in sports. What is Stafford Virginia like?
Devyn: It very competitive between our local schools cause everyone wants to have the last word on who beat who.
LJ: Its crazy how you are not called an all-purpose back yet you caught for over 400 yards this season and have over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns for your career. Do you feel you are overlooked as an all-around back?
Devyn: I don’t think that I’m overlooked its okay if they don’t know but that’s just something that makes me more valuable as a football player.
LJ: Have you grown close with this Penn state class?
Devyn: Yes we all have become very close with recent commits and we all are cool with each other and can’t wait to play on the same field.
LJ: A former high school teammate and friend NaNa Asiedu recently had to quite football due to a heart condition. How has that affected the team? How has he taken things since then?
Devyn: It made the team play harder for him and he’s taking things relatively fine he’s just doing what he can to support PSU.
LJ: How have you been in support of NaNa? How close are you two with you both being from Stafford, Virginia?
Devyn: I’ve been really supportive, trying to keep his head up and we’ve been close since middle school we took a lot of visits together and went to camps also.
LJ: It’s an absolutely insane future at running back for the Nittany Lions with you, Slade, Brown and the option of Micah Parson has been talked about. How close have you all got as a unit? How special do you think this unit can be especially if Micah Parson also joins the rotation?
Devyn: We haven’t gotten that close. Once I sign I believe that will change. But I believe our unit can be very special.
LJ: What has the Penn State staff told you about your future with the program?
Devyn: That it’s growing and that they are going to be better than they are.
LJ: How do you like new running backs coach Jajuan Seider
Devyn: I like him a lot he’s a chill dude but not going to steer you wrong.
LJ: What were the stats of your best game this off season?
Devyn: Interception for a touchdown, receiving touchdown, 2 rushing touchdowns 82 rushing yards
LJ: What do you bring to Penn State?
Devyn: A high motor player who works hard and is a team player.
