Ford recommits to Iowa

After reopening his recruiting a month ago, three-star running back Jason Ford has closed it back down. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Ford, who visited Iowa City yesterday, says he is sticking with his original commitment to the Hawkeyes.

"I made it solid again," said Ford. "I told the coaches right before the game when I was on the sidelines. Coach Johnson came over during warm-ups and asked what I was thinking and I told him I'm done with it. I'm staying here and I'm back to 100%. He was real excited and took me over to talk to the other coaches."

Ford had initially committed to Iowa back in June, but decided to reopen things a little bit last month and look at his other offers, which included Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kansas, among others. After making an unofficial visit to Illinois and talking with several other schools, the running back decided he had seen and heard enough.

"I was comparing Iowa to all my other schools and there wasn't anything better about them," Ford said. "Some of the other schools were coming after me hard, but I didn't feel as comfortable with them as I did with Iowa."

Ford, who says he will not visit any other schools, has set his official visit to Iowa for November 30. Overall, the St. Louis area native feels the past month has only strengthened his bond with the Iowa coaching staff.

"I just feel real comfortable there," said Ford. "Our relationship has just gotten better and better. Even when I did open it up, they didn't stop recruiting me. They just kept coming after me hard because they really want me there next year."

After rushing for 1,773 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior, Ford's next goal is to earn playing time as a true freshman at Iowa. With the top two backs graduating and only one returning back on scholarship, the competition should be wide open next fall. Ford, who works out with a speed trainer and will run track in the spring, plans to arrive in tiptop shape.

"I'm going to come in, work hard, and try to get some playing time as a freshman," Ford said. "They said I have a real good chance if I come in in good shape and work hard, so I'm planning on doing that."

Rivals.com ranks Ford as the No. 30 top running back in the nation this year.