2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ailym Ford, RB, Chattanooga

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ailym Ford, #0
School (Code)	Tennessee-Chattanooga, TNCH
Class Yr	5th Yr. Sr
Height, Weight	5085 / 215 LBS
40 Yd Dash	4.59
Position/Depth	RB / #1
Honors/Captainship	Team Captain (2022), All-America 3rd team (2022), All-SoCon 1st team (2019, 2021, 2022), COSIDA Academic All-District (2020-2021), Freshman All-America (2019), Sophomore All-America (2021), SoCon Freshman of the Year (2019).
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	MSUN, ALSM, UNIL
Scout Name / Date	Matthew Swanson, 09-15-2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	TBD
2022	8 GP, 181 ATT, 974 YDS, 11 TD, 9 REC, 179 YDS, 2 TD
2021	11 GP, 203 ATT, 1071 YDS, 11 TD, 3 REC, 15 YDS, 0 TD
2020	1 GP, 25 ATT, 92 YDS, 0 TD, 0 REC, 0 YDS, 0 TD
2019	10 GP, 201 ATT, 1081 YDS, 9 TD, 5 REC, 32 YDS, 0 TD

Player Summary:

5th Yr. Sr. RB for TNCH in an OZ heavy run scheme. Projects as an RB in the NFL. Compact, stockily built back with good weight and marginal height. Is well built to sustain contact with hamstrings/quads that are built like tree trunks and broad shoulders. Solid AA that includes sufficient play speed, decent burst, solid agility, good contact balance, and marginal open field/LOS twitch. Solid north and south runner. Displays average vision behind LOS in a decent ability to diagnose and hit holes that open between the tackles. Hits gaps between the tackles well with sufficient speed, burst, and a good downhill demeanor. The initial pad level is good due to marginal height, naturally low center of gravity, and solid forward lean. The ability to break arm tackles at LOS of average size/speed DL is good due to quality leg churn, good power behind pads, and ability to keep himself balanced with a low center of gravity. Burst of speed following LOS and hitting the edge is ordinary showing average ability to race past average size/speed LBs on outside runs or up the gut. Compensates ordinary gears of burst with a good ability to bowl through LBs and DBs at the second level. Lowers pads upon contact and demonstrates good lower half strength, contact balance, leg churn, pad leverage, and toughness. As a receiver, he shows decent ability to get out on swing passes out of the backfield and catch the ball ordinarily. As a pass blocker, he is sufficient. Shows a good willingness to chip EDGE defenders and stick his nose into blitzing LBs and DS. Attacks well with a good base and balance. Restrains average size/speed LBs and EDGE defenders decently well, impeding progress. Marginal size impacts the length of the ability to sustain restraint. Below-average ability to make solid-sized/athletic defenders miss with twitch alone as he displays subpar ability to shake and maintain/regain acceleration and speed at LOS or second level of defense. Has solid speed and burst, but lacks in both too significantly to be a consistent homerun hitter or beat defenders to the edge on wide runs. Needs more repetitions and opportunities as a pass catcher to get better and gain the most accurate representation of his ability possible.

Scheme Fit:

Power back in a gap-orientated scheme.

Power Statement:

Undersized, developmental power back who can partake in a rotation and runs with good contact balance, power, sufficient play speed, and ordinary agility. Runs well in between the tackles, but marginal twitch and lack of top-end speed lead to the limited ability to juke his way out of tackles in the open field and hit breakaway runs.