NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Mike Ford, DB, American International College

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name?

Mike Ford

What is your Height/Weight?

5’8 180

What is your position? 

Cornerback/ Nickle

Where do you play college football?

American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

Being able to teach and pass down the knowledge I know about the game of football to youth football players in the summer is something I enjoy

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Accounting

Where are you from?

I am from Sammamish, Washington right outside Seattle

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model I would have to say is my father he is the ultimate professional and all about do things the right way. It certainly is nice to have a figure like that in my life

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played football, basketball, and hockey.

Did you play any other positions in football?

In high school I played cornerback, Slot receiver and running back

At your position, what separates you from others?

The thing that separates me from others in my position is the hard work I put in whether its film study, the weight room field work. Playing the position of cornerback you have to be savvy play with great instincts and have a short term memory. Having these qualities have made me into the player I am today.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

Every team has tendencies they like to run certain plays in certain situations. Formations dictate plays as a player you have to study the film to figure out those tendencies. As a cornerback knowing the wide receivers splits and studying there stems on certain routes is one of the many things I look at when studying tape.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Kasen Williams now who is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks is the toughest player I faced.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

There is a few players I would compare myself too Brent Grimes for the Miami Dolphins, Nickell Robey Buffalo Bills and Buster Skrine for the New York Jets. Those guys aren’t the tallest players but they are very crafty and very sound football players. I have learned a lot of things from a technique stand point watching those guys play.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Overcoming a broken leg my senior year of high school. With intense rehabbing and dedication I was able to bounce back and put together a successful college career.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

No pre game rituals I just like to get into my zone before a game.

What is your biggest strength?

“My will” I always find a way to get the job done whatever it takes.  

What is your biggest weakness?

Wouldn’t say I have a weakness just things I can work on nobody is perfect.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

With all these pass first offensives in the National Football League having players that can defend these aerial attacks. I am a player that can cover on the outside at corner come into the slot a take on the Julian Edelman’s of the world and can blitz and tackle. I just don’t want to make a team I want to make the team better. With my skill set I certainly can do that.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Darrelle Revis

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

LeBron James, Darrelle Revis, Mark Jackson

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

Help my parents pay both my sisters college tuition.  

Rapid Answers:

• Tupac or Biggie? Cannot choose between two rap legends
• NFL Network or ESPN? Both
• Coke or Pepsi? Neither
• Pizza or Burgers?
• Dogs or Cats?