Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford Bio

Jerome Ford is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner who currently plays for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 12, 1999, in Tampa, Florida, and attended Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida. Ford played college football at both the University of Alabama and the University of Cincinnati before entering the NFL. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 156th overall pick. Ford has established himself as a versatile offensive weapon with significant experience as a starter and reserve running back during his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Jerome Ford grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Armwood High School in Seffner. During his high school career, Ford developed into a standout football player, showcasing the speed, vision, and toughness that would define his future in the sport. His performances at the high school level attracted attention from major college programs across the country. Ford’s dedication to football was evident in his training and preparation, which laid the foundation for his transition to the collegiate level.

After completing his high school career, Ford made the significant decision to commit to the University of Alabama to play college football. This commitment placed him at one of the premier football programs in the nation, where he would have the opportunity to develop his skills against top-tier competition and learn from experienced coaches and teammates. The choice to attend Alabama reflected Ford’s ambition to compete at the highest level of college football and ultimately pursue a professional career in the sport.

Path to American Football

Ford’s journey through college football took him through two major programs, each providing unique opportunities for growth and development. He began his collegiate career at Alabama in 2018 and played for the Crimson Tide through the 2019 season. During his time at Alabama, Ford gained valuable experience playing behind an established running back room while learning the intricacies of a high-level college football program. He rushed for 151 yards on 31 carries and scored three touchdowns during his two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Prior to the 2020 season, Ford made the decision to transfer to the University of Cincinnati to continue his college career. This transfer proved to be a pivotal moment in his football journey. At Cincinnati, Ford found more opportunities for playing time and emerged as a significant contributor for the Bearcats. In his first season with Cincinnati in 2020, he played in 10 games as a backup and rushed for 483 yards on 73 carries with eight touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to make an impact when given opportunities.

The 2021 season became Ford’s breakthrough campaign at the collegiate level. He started all 13 games and delivered an exceptional performance, rushing for 1,319 yards with an impressive average of 6.2 yards per carry and scoring 19 touchdowns on the ground. He also contributed as a receiver with 21 catches for 220 yards and one touchdown. His outstanding season earned him first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors at running back and solidified his reputation as one of the top running backs in the Group of Five conferences. Ford’s exceptional play helped lead the Cincinnati Bearcats to the College Football Playoff, and he was named the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game MVP for his efforts.

Jerome Ford Career

Early Career (2022)

Jerome Ford entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Browns selected him with the 156th overall pick, recognizing his potential as a versatile running back with experience in a high-profile college program. Ford signed his rookie contract and began preparing for his first professional season with the organization. His draft position reflected the Browns’ confidence in his abilities and their belief in his long-term potential as part of the team’s offensive plans.

Ford’s rookie season encountered challenges early on. He suffered an ankle injury during Week 4 of the 2022 season, which required him to be placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2022. This injury significantly limited his rookie-year contributions and provided him with an early lesson about the physical demands of professional football. Ford worked through his rehabilitation and was activated from injured reserve on November 12, 2022, but the injury had already disrupted his first season with the team.

Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2023–2025)

The 2023 season became a defining moment in Jerome Ford’s professional career. When star running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, Ford was thrust into the starting role for the Cleveland Browns. This unexpected opportunity allowed him to showcase the skills he had developed throughout his career. Ford responded with his best professional season to that point, finishing the year with 813 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 204 rushing attempts. He also demonstrated his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 44 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns on 63 targets.

Ford’s performance in 2023 demonstrated his ability to handle a significant workload as a feature back in an NFL offense. His combination of vision, speed, and pass-catching ability made him a valuable asset in the Browns’ offensive scheme. The season proved that Ford could be an effective starter at the professional level when given the opportunity, and it solidified his place in the Browns’ running back rotation going forward.

In the 2024 season, Ford began the year as the starting running back while Chubb continued his recovery from the 2023 injury. However, once Chubb returned midseason, Ford transitioned back to a backup role. Despite the reduced opportunities, Ford remained productive in his limited touches. He played in 14 games with six starts, recording 565 rushing yards and three touchdowns along with 37 receptions for 225 yards. His ability to remain effective despite the fluctuation in his role demonstrated his professionalism and team-first attitude.

The 2025 season saw Ford operating as Cleveland’s third-string running back behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. In 13 appearances for the team, he rushed 24 times for 73 yards and logged 26 receptions for 103 yards. Ford suffered a shoulder injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, which resulted in him being placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2025. This injury brought his tenure with the Browns to a close after four seasons during which he made significant contributions to the team.

Washington Commanders Era (2026–Present)

On March 19, 2026, Jerome Ford signed a one-year contract worth $1.4 million with the Washington Commanders. This move marked a new chapter in his professional career as he joined a new organization seeking to bolster their running back room. Ford’s experience as both a starter and reserve back in the NFL made him an attractive addition for teams looking for reliable depth and versatility at the running back position.

Driving Style and Strengths

Jerome Ford has established himself as a versatile running back with a skill set that extends beyond traditional rushing duties. His vision allows him to identify running lanes quickly, while his speed enables him to exploit openings in the defense. Ford’s experience playing in multiple offensive systems at both Alabama and Cincinnati prepared him to adapt to different playbooks and team dynamics. His pass-catching ability out of the backfield adds another dimension to his game, making him a valuable asset in both running and passing situations. Ford has also contributed as a kickoff returner throughout his career, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple phases.

Notable Events and Milestones

Ford’s career has been marked by several significant moments, including his breakout 2021 season at Cincinnati that culminated in being named AAC Championship Game MVP and First-team All-AAC. In the NFL, his most notable moment came in 2023 when he stepped into the starting role following Nick Chubb’s injury and delivered a 800-yard rushing season with over 1,000 total yards from scrimmage. His resilience was also evident during his rookie season when he returned from injured reserve to contribute to the team. Ford’s journey from fifth-round draft pick to starting NFL running back represents a significant achievement in his professional career.

Jerome Ford Career Wins

Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Jerome Ford has accumulated impressive statistics that reflect his effectiveness as a running back. His collegiate career at Cincinnati featured a 1,300-yard rushing season with 19 touchdowns, while his NFL career has seen him accumulate over 1,400 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards with a combined 17 touchdowns across his first four seasons.

NFL Highlights

In the NFL, Ford has demonstrated consistent production when given opportunities. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 1,463 rushing yards on 339 attempts with an average of 4.3 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns. His receiving production totals 107 receptions for 647 yards and five touchdowns, showing his value as a dual-threat back. Ford has also contributed significantly in the return game with 1,405 career return yards. His standout season came in 2023 when he rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns while adding 319 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the air.

Other Wins and Performances

Ford’s collegiate career at Cincinnati featured his most dominant statistical performances. His 2021 season saw him rush for 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns while earning first-team All-AAC honors. The highlight of his college career came when he was named MVP of the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, a testament to his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His success at Cincinnati helped the Bearcats achieve a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Jerome Ford Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Public information regarding Jerome Ford’s family background, parents, or any racing lineage is not available in verified sources. Ford has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the football field, with limited public details about his family members or personal relationships.

Personal Life

Jerome Ford was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Armwood High School. His Instagram account under the handle Rome813 provides glimpses into his life outside of football, though he generally keeps details about his personal relationships private. Ford’s professional approach to football has been evident throughout his career, with his performances on the field remaining his primary focus. Information regarding a spouse or children has not been made publicly available.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Jerome Ford with the Cleveland Browns. With the emergence of younger running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson ahead of him on the depth chart, Ford found himself in a reduced role as the third-string running back. Despite the limited opportunities, he appeared in 13 games and contributed 24 rushing attempts for 73 yards while catching 26 passes for 103 yards. His versatility as a receiver remained evident even with the decreased workload on the ground.

The season took a significant turn when Ford suffered a shoulder injury during Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans. The injury proved serious enough to require him to be placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2025, effectively ending his season and his tenure with the Browns organization. The injury added to Ford’s history of physical challenges throughout his professional career, including the ankle injury that cut short his rookie season in 2022.

Despite the difficult season, Ford’s four years with the Browns provided him with valuable NFL experience. He had proven himself capable as both a starter and a reliable backup, demonstrating his ability to contribute when opportunities arose. His 2023 season as the starting running back, where he rushed for over 800 yards and accumulated over 1,100 total yards, remained a highlight of his time in Cleveland. Following the season, Ford’s move to the Washington Commanders in March 2026 represented a fresh start and an opportunity to continue his NFL career with a new organization.