NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyler Ford, P, Bentley University

has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 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 to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name? 

Tyler Ford

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’ 210 lbs.

What is your position? 

Punter

Where do you play college football? 

Bentley University

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

Been able to be a camp counselor at basketball camp in my former high school in the summer.

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

Freshman year Accounting and Finance courses

Where are you from? 

Amherst, NH

Who is your role model, and why?

My whole family, everyone is there to support me every step of the way and will help me succeed no matter what I do in life.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball, Basketball and Track & Field

Did you play any other positions in football? 

Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Defensive back all throughout high school

At your position, what separates you from others?

My athleticism and ability to take of running if I need to and my leg strength.

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

I look for all the punt return teams rush tendencies to make sure my line is aware of who is coming from where and how they come.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Deonte Harris – All American Punt Returner from Assumption College

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

Pat McAfee because of his ability to get big punts off and also always be on the lookout for opportunities to run for a first.

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

Transitioning from high school to college. I came in as a defensive back but because of the depth at punter I was switched to just punter. I went from not ever leaving the field to around 10 plays at most per game. It took me awhile to get used to a lot of work being put in for only a limited number of plays on the field.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I will always get out early on the field to stretch but when I get back in I will play Chance the Rappers version of “Waves” on repeat before the game.

What is your biggest strength?

Being able to switch field position from anywhere on the field and the ability to take off running if the return scheme allows me to.

What is your biggest weakness? 

Being able to get sufficient hang time on every one of my punts including the rugby punts I had to do in college.

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

My athleticism and background of being a quarterback throughout my life allows me to be able to read what’s in front of me and lead a group of guys onto the field to execute our job on fourth down. I believe my ability to punt 50+ yards with 5+ seconds of hang time will help any team out.

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

Tom Brady and the Patriots 

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

My mom, dad, and sister (all alive) because they have guided me and stuck up for me throughout my whole life through the good times and the bad.

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

After I pay off my student loans I will buy myself a nice car.