Looking at Texas LB Jaylan Ford’s best plays 41 days from kickoff

Jaylan Ford is one of the nation’s best linebackers. The talented Texas tackler is set to duplicate a strong 2022 campaign and win Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

The unheralded player from Frisco (Lone Star) was the second-to-last ranked player in his 2020 recruiting class. In the last 247Sports update, Ford was the No. 68 linebacker and No. 137 player in Texas. That player evaluation was a whiff.

Ford has risen from a near unknown three-star recruit to one of the best linebackers in the country. His historic 2022 campaign saw him toward the Big 12 leaderboard in several statistical categories. Those categories include the second-highest interception total in the conference.

With the season 41 days from its start, here are some of the best plays made by No. 41.

One-handed pick vs. Kansas

Jaylan Ford showed off his sure-handedness and hand-eye coordination on this play. Ford forced several turnovers last season.

The nail in the coffin

Ford stifled the Baylor comeback on the play. It was just one of many clutch plays made by the second-round NFL draft prospect.

Heat-seeking missile

Alabama botched this blitz pickup badly. Jaylan Ford made them pay.

Sideline to sideline

Ford got caught up in the wash against Alabama earlier this season. It led to an 81-yard touchdown run by Jase McClellan. As the season progressed, it became more difficult to beat Ford to the outside.

Foreshadowing to 2022

Despite receiving little playing time in 2021, we knew how good Ford was by how he performed on plays like this. He became one of the most dangerous linebackers in the conference over last offseason.

Jaylan steals six points

There’s a solid chance Iowa State upsets Texas if not for Jaylan Ford. The good news is, we’ll never know.

Another angle

Ford proved adept in coverage as the season progressed. He will look to continue to develop in the passing game.

Story originally appeared on Longhorns Wire