2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jake Ford, P/K, Ouachita Baptist University

• Name: Jake Ford
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 225
• Position: Punter/Kicker
• College: Ouachita Baptist University
• Twitter: @jakejford

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• Australia has its own unique environment. Growing up in the country was always fun, however what I love most about it is my family and friends.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• Practice is number one: As a specialist we work on our craft and being consistent is the key to being good.

Film Study is number two: Understanding what you are doing wrong and visually identifying what you need to fix is extremely important. you need to see what you are doing wrong before you can fix it.

Strength and conditioning is third: The reason I have this at third is because you need to be able to kick a ball before anything. However strength and conditions is a crucial element in keeping strong and powerfull through the lower body and also provides a base for injury prevention.

What do you worry about, and why?

• My biggest worry is always being late for class or football. Growing up I was always taught 10 minutes before is always on time.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• I remember learning to tie my shoes as a little boy. My parents said to me I couldn’t go to school until I could tie my shoes on my own. I remember crying and throwing my shoes at the wall because I couldn’t do it, but after a few days I was determined enough and learned how to tie my shoes. To start school a year earlier with my friends was my main motivation at the time. As I have grown though I’ve learned that failure is part of learning. 

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Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• As a punter/Kicker its hard to say who I’ve played against. I come from a program called pro kick Australia where we all trained together before moving to college in America so I have seen a lot of punters and competed with a lot of them back in Australia. Personally the best college punter I have seen would be Mitchell Wishnowski because of his versatility to punt but also kickoff.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• I would still like to be involved in sports as a Coach or a Sports Scientist.

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• Room should always be cleaned first. That is where you start and end your day.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• Personally it would be a number of factors I would take into consideration. If children were involved I would save them first. However if the strangers were old people who have lived a long life I would choose my family member. to make this decision you have to look at it morally and ethically.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• Superman, the thought of being able to fly is something that has always intrigued me.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• I remember playing Australia Football and not making the U15 representative football team. A few days after, I signed up to the gym and started working on that goal to play at a  high level of Australian football. It took me 3 years to get my opportunity and play my first game in the Victorian Football League. That is one of my most prized accomplishments as it was something I worked for everyday.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• I remember introducing myself to the football team and everyone just laughing at my accent and knowbody had any idea what I was saying hahaha. It took me a while to slow my speech down so people could understand what I was saying.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• Its actually happened last week when I went out and held for the winning field goal. Our true freshman Kicker Gabe Goodman kicked it through from 38 Yards with only seconds left on the clock. I Don’t think I’ve been more excited seeing the ball go through the uprights.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Three Days Grace: I Will Not Die

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Non-Physical. As a punter and kicker you need to understand what you did wrong and how to fix it quickly. If I have a bad kick my next one needs to be good. Training yourself and being emotionally strong is important in sports. Furthermore, being able to visualize the kick before it happens is a training tool I use.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• I would bring back a family member who first to settle in Australia. Learning about my families history and how we arrived to Australia is something I have always be fascinated with.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Fordys Floor

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Thomas Morstead. He has been doing it for years and goes out each week and produces for his team. As a punter he is extremely consistent and places the ball where it needs to be. Furthermore his work ethic in the gym is another reason why he is so good.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. When your respected by your peers your obviously respected for a certain reason. To earn respect from your friends, teammates, coaches and peers is important personally to me. I want people to respect me for who I am and my morals, ethics, decisions, discipline, honesty and work ethic.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• There are so many players to choose. Athletes who have had their career derailed from health issues beyond their control are the ones I feel for the most. Issues from cancer, physical injury or mental health. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win. but I hate to lose. I am a competitive person in all aspects of life. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My Mother and Father have been the biggest influences on my life. They taught me right from wrong, and they were always honest to me even when it was brutal. They always encouraged me to be more and chase more from life and to not let other people tell me what I can do. If I ever wanted something they told me to get it, but do it the honest way and don’t cheat your way there or you won’t appreciate it.