Kansas offers local offensive lineman
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Since Phil Ford arrived on campus for his junior day visit to Kansas there has been a lot of attention focused on him. On Friday that attention is likely to increase.
After a strong showing at the Kansas OL/DL Camp and another appearance in Lawrence the Kansas coaches have made a stronger push at Ford.
"They offered me a scholarship today," Ford said of Kansas. "I talked to coach Turner Gill and Reggie Mitchell on the phone. I thanked them for offering and they were trying to sell me on their program and what they are doing. They are taking a chance on me and want me to be a part of it."
Ford, who is called "Big Sexy", by all of his classmates has been to Lawrence several times. He enjoyed seeing the campus and the coaches again last weekend.
"It was great to see coach Mitchell, Grimes, and Gill again," Ford said. "I liked getting the chance to work out with coach Grimes at camp. I've been up there several times and when I see coach Mitchell he always has a smile on his face. I have a really good connection with him."
Now the Jayhawks will try and make a move to slide up the list for Ford, who was offered earlier by Minnesota.
"I would say Minnesota has an edge right now because they offered first," Ford said. "Plus Max Shortell has been talking to me a lot about their program."
This summer Ford said he doesn't know of any other visits or camps he will attend. But another visit down the road to Lawrence could happen.
"Coach Gill wants me and my mom to come up for another visit," Ford said. "So I am thinking about that. I might take a visit to Oklahoma since Justin McCay is down there. I want to spend time this summer around my teammates and do community service."
Ford anchored an offensive line that helped Bishop Miege win the state title last year. They have several good players returning this year and he wants to focus on them. However, Kansas will be in his thoughts whenever he's playing video games.
"I'm going to do community service this summer and be around my team a lot," Ford said. "Whenever I play NCAA Football 2010 I'm always Kansas. I always run their spread offense on the game."
Bishop Miege head coach Tim Grunhard has been a big help with Ford's development. The former Kansas City Chief and Notre Dame standout likes Ford's upside.
"He's like a dancing bear," Grunhard said on Friday. "For being that size he has great feet and can get to the second level. He can be a dominant force in the Big 12."
Ford talks after KU Camp
To see Ford talk about his visit last weekend after camp click here