NFL Draft Scout
Featured In/On:
Luke Ford, DS #43 TE, Illinois 
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Name: Luke Ford (Transfer from Georgia)
College: Illinois Number: 82
Height: 6-6 Weight: 268
Position: TE Pos2: OT
Class/Draft Year: rSr/2023
40 Low: 4.93 40 Time: 5.00 40 High: 5.05
> Projected Round: Stock: 
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Combine Results |
Pro Day Results |
Combine Invite:
Height: 6056
Weight: 268
Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET):
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10 Yard (ET):
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225 Lb. Bench Reps:
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Dates: 03/10/23
Hand: 09 1/2 Arm: 33 1/4
Wingspan: 79 7/8
Height: 6056
Weight: 268
40 Yrd Dash: 5.00
20 Yrd Dash: 2.90
10 Yrd Dash: 1.68
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225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 29 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.60
3-Cone Drill: 7.15
-12 LBs/40 Time Range: 4.99-5.00/**Projected 4.80/+.20
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Data Scout Notes: 2022: NAC...PMackey...2021: NAC...2020: NAC...Transfer from Georgia
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Luke Ford, Illinois, Player News
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Last season was Ford's best season, but it can't really be called a breakout season. Ford did start all 12 games at tight end for Illinois - a first in his career - and set new career highs in the first game of the season. That it was three catches for 3 0 yards and his first Illini touchdown, however, showed how involved the tight ends were in the passing game. Ford would go on to catch just 12 more passes for 84 yards and another touchdown in the final 11 games of the season.Maybe this is the ye ar Illinois will actually throw it to the tight ends. Daniel Barker transferred to Michigan State because he wasn't sure it would happen. Ford stuck around because maybe it would under new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. given his history with Ill inois coach Bret Bielema. Ford needs it to happen. He looks exactly like an NFL tight end should and needs to follow through on that potential. - News Gazette Tribune
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023  TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: LUKE FORD, ILLINOIS,...Ford started all 12 games at tight end in 2021...15 receptions for 114 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2021...Fifth on the team in receptions (15) in 2021...Career highs in recepti ons (3) and receiving yards (30) and scored his first career touchdown against Nebraska 8/28/21. - Illinois Football
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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Noah Ford couldn't make it out to see his brother Luke perform well during the Illinois spring game on April 19. Noah had a good excuse: He is in the U.S. Navy. "From what I hear, he's losing weight," Ford said. "Good for him." Noah has been in for six w eeks. He is based in Rhode Island. "I'm proud of him," Luke Ford said. "I won't see him for a little bit. "I wish him the best. He might look like a different person when he gets back. Who knows." Ford's parents, Lisa and Tim, were in the stands at Memor ial Stadium, watching Luke catch five passes for 88 yards, including a 16-yard one-handed touchdown grab from Isaiah Williams. "It was really awesome to have my family there and have other people in the stands, as well," Ford said.We all knew Luke Ford could talk. The tight end entertains reporters with his wit and personality during every press conference. He started his latest Zoom call wearing a cowboy hat, but quickly switched to an Illini baseball cap. "I think it's more professional," Ford said. He performed like a pro in the spring game. After his efforts in the scrimmage, we understand what all the on-field fuss was about. Fans and the media weren't allowed to watch much of the rest of spring ball. But from the limited sample we saw, it seems obvious Tony Petersen's offense is tight-end friendly. "It's awesome to be a part of this new offense," Ford said. "My first year at Georgia, I caught one ball. My second year playing football, I caught two. If I really continue on that record, I h ave the potential to get four catches this year." - News Gazette Tribune
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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Luke Ford was more of a target in the scrimmage than he was all last season. Ford, who transferred to Illinois in 2019 from Georgia, grabbed just two catches for 15 yards in 2020. During the orange-and-blue game, he caught five passes for 88 yards, inclu ding a one-handed 16-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. "I appreciated Luke's effort," Bielema said. "I've seen his maturity level in everything he's doing. I really like his demeanor and work ethic. I think he's concentrating on what's importan t now. He's concentrating on being a good football player. You put in your time and you get rewarded for it. He's really bought in." - Herald-Review Times
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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Bret Bielema, who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run at Arkansas, is returning to the Big Ten Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. The Illini hired Bielema to replace the fired Lovie Smith on Saturday, hoping he can turn ar ound a program with nine consecutive losing seasons. Illinois said Bielema will receive a six-year contract with an annual salary starting at $4.2 million, and begin work immediately. He will be a guest of athletic director Josh Whitman’s when Illinois plays at Penn State on Staurday. A native of western Illinois, the 50-year-old Bielema is 97-58 in 12 years at Wisconsin and Arkansas. - AP College Football
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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Mirage or momentum? Lovie Smith's Illini went 6-6 in the regular season in 2019 and made their first bowl game in five years. There was a big upset of Wisconsin, a stirring comeback at Michigan State and a general good vibe around the program that hasn't existed in a long time. QB Brandon Peters (18 TD passes in 2019) is a returning starter, but Illinois lost some production on the ground. Keep an eye out for Georgia TE transfer Luke Ford, who at 6-foot-6 should be easy for Peters and everyone to find. - Ann Arbor News
(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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