2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Luke Ford, TE, Illinois
Player Data
- Name, Jersey #: Luke Ford, #82
- School (Code): ILUN
- DOB, Class Yr: 9/23/99, RS SR
- Height, Weight: 6055e, 267e
- 40 Yd Dash: 4.8e
- Arms, Hands: 3318, 968
- Position/Depth: TE/1
- Honors/Captainship: 2022 John Mackey Award Watch List
- Season Viewed (yr): 2021
- Games Watched: NEUN, MDUN, @PAST, @IAUN
- Scout Name / Date: Mike Bey 8/23/22
Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)
- 2021 12 GP, 12 GS, 15 Rec, 114 Yds, 2 TD
- 2020 8 GP, 2 GS, 2 Rec, 15 Yds
- 2019 N/A (Transferred)
- 2018 @GAUN, 9 GP, 1 Rec, 4 Yds
Player Summary:
RS SR and 1 Yr fulltime starter at TE in the zone heavy blocking scheme of ILUN where he lines up predominantly inline as a YTE. Transferred from GAUN prior to the 2019 season. He has very good height with elite weight and adequate speed with a lean build. He is a solid athlete showing solid explosiveness, acceleration and lateral quickness and agility, ordinary COD and balance with solid top end play speed. When zone blocking, he fires out low and uses his solid lateral quickness and agility to get his hat across the face of the 5T/7T and SAM with adequate AA. He exhibits good UOH to deliver a well-timed punch to the frame of his man and generates movement at the POA with his above average play strength, foot drive and leverage. He maintains his block long enough for the RB to get past him. When blocking at the 2nd level, he uses his solid play speed to get to the LB. Shows good play strength and physical toughness as he overpowers LB with subpar size and before finishing the block to the ground. In pass pro, he sets up quickly playing with a good, wide base and solid knee bend while keeping his feet moving. He uses his good UOH to win battles with his hands inside against SAM with adequate explosiveness and length while mirroring his man giving the QB time to pass. In the passing game, he exhibits very good football intelligence finding the soft spot in zone coverage. He shows good hands as he makes the catch with his hands on passes thrown on target. Solid mental toughness enables him to improve his ability in the run and passing game while in the red zone. Struggles against EDGE with very good burst due to lack of quality AA in the run game. Lack of quality play speed prevents him from separating against SS and LB with good COD and play speed in man coverage. Subpar on 50/50 balls against SS with very good length and good ball skills due to him struggling to consistently box out his man to put himself in good position to make the catch.
Scheme Fit:
YTE in zone blocking scheme.
Power Statement:
Intelligent, tough player who excels as a run blocker. Struggles to separate consistently against DB and LB in man coverage due to his lack of quality AA.
