Ford opening things back up
After initially making a verbal commitment to Iowa back in June, running back Jason Ford has decided to reopen his recruiting this fall. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Ford, who attends Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Illinois, made the decision this past week and informed the Iowa coaching staff.
"I committed early and I just want to make sure I made the right decision," said Ford. "I talked to Coach Ferentz, Coach Jackson, and Coach Johnson last Wednesday. I just told them what I was going to do and explained everything. They said they were fine with it and just to make sure I make the right decision."
Ford, who recently surpassed 6,000 rushing yards for his high school career, said he still considers himself a soft verbal commitment to Iowa, but plans to take all five of his official visits before signing day in February.
"I didn't decommit," Ford said. "I'd say I'm a soft verbal. Iowa is still my number one, but I'm going to look around a little bit and make sure everything's still right."
Although Althoff has struggled to a 3-4 start this season, Ford has continued to pile up huge numbers week in and week out. The three-star prospect now has 1,554 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns through seven games. This past weekend, Ford carried the ball 16 times for 193 yards and six touchdowns in a 48-14 victory, which is the only stat that matters, according to the running back.
"The season has been kind of disappointing because we're not winning like we usually do," said Ford. "I've had good stats, but they don't really mean anything to me if we aren't winning."
Before making his initial commitment to Iowa in June, Ford held scholarship offers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, and Kansas State, among others. According to the St. Louis area native, that list is a good place to start as far as the schools he may look at in reopening his recruiting.
"I haven't talked to other schools yet, but it will probably be the ones that were on my list before I committed," Ford said. "Schools like Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas State, and some others. I'll probably talk to them and try to use all of my five official visits."
This Saturday, Ford said he plans to be in Iowa City on an unofficial visit when the Hawkeyes host Illinois in Kinnick Stadium. He hopes to sit down and plan his official visits in the coming weeks, but will likely wait until after the season to start making those. Currently, he plans to make a final decision close to signing day.