Longhorns Jaylan Ford Focused On Big 12 Title, Not Personal Accolades

ARLINGTON -- Jaylan Ford isn't the type to rain on someone's parade. That doesn't mean he'll always necessarily agree with every outcome out of his control. 

Ford, Texas' star linebacker who made his presence felt on Saturdays, presented a case to win Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded a career-high 119 tackles, 10 of which were losses. 

He spearheaded the charge to fix the Longhorns' run defense, a glaring weakness for the Forty Acres' franchise in 2021. 

And he finished with a team-high four interceptions, the most by a Longhorns' linebacker since All-American Derrick Johnson in 2003. 

Voters likely considered Ford. He probably was the runner-up for the trophy and maybe would have taken home the accolades if the Longhorns' finished with better results. Instead, Kansas State defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah was bestowed the honor after helping the Wildcats win their first Big 12 title outright since 2003. 

In the moment, maybe Ford was upset. Seconds later, he was using the snub as motivation to up his production in what could be his final year in Austin. 

“I actually reached out to Felix after it was announced and just texted him congratulations,” Ford said at Big 12 Media Days Wednesday. “I’m not really a negative person or the type to dwell on it or have regrets, it just motivates me to go out and achieve a lot more.”

Voters are already expecting another extraordinary season from Ford entering August, naming him preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. They also are high on Texas being back, calling the Longhorns the preseason favorites to win the conference title for the first time since 2009. 

Ford isn't much of a talker. Most of those in Austin aren't, mainly due to failed expectations in the past. For years, the Longhorns have heard how they're in the midst of being "back" for good, only to collapse late in the season and reach new lows of questioning for the future. 

It's why the mission of 2023 has been clear from the jump; focus on the present and what's in control. Texas faces an uphill climb alongside Oklahoma in 2024 as the newest member of the SEC, but all sights are set on winning a Big 12 title first. 

"Coach [Steve] Sarkisian has done a good job on establishing how to block out the outside noise and not let expectations dictate how we're going to play and how we're going to perform," said Ford. "We don't want everything we've worked on this offseason to go up in flames just because of predictions." 

Texas must continue to quiet internal noise that could disrupt the season's outcome, but there's little reason not to believe this is the year where it all comes together. The offensive star power led by quarterback Quinn Ewers is the best it's been in years. Protection up front, led by All-Big 12 tackle Kelvin Banks, should provide ample scoring opportunities both in the air and ground game. 

Sure, Sarkisian has yet to bring the Longhorns back to Arlington in his first two seasons, but Texas has improved. Its offense found stability after a 5-7 first season. Recruitng has finished top 10 each year. The defense pulled a 180 in 2022 thanks to patience and depth. 

In large part, Ford was one of the key pieces in helping revitalize the unit last fall. His fourth quarter fumble recovery against Iowa State helped Texas avoid another upset at home. Not to mention Ford totaled 10 or more tackles in seven different contests, the most of any Texas defender since Malik Jefferson in 2017. 

“I think we have great leadership across the board and one of those guys is definitely Jaylan Ford,” Sarkisian said. “A lot of our leaders, including Jaylan, I inherited before I got here, there’s a lot of focus about many of the new players, there should be a lot of focus on the players who are in year three with me now.”

Ford's not immersed in individual honors, though his name should be in discussions among NFL scouts by midseason. The 6-3 linebacker could have tested his luck in the NFL draft, but elected to return to Austin for another season. 

Ford isn't back in Austin because he was snubbed for a defensive appreciation. He recognizes how close the Longhorns are to winning their first conference title in over a decade and would like to see things through. Even if a loss on the schedule, claiming the Big 12 would have Texas in the hunt for its first College Football Playoff berth, something that could draw respect once full-time members of the SEC.

Nautually, Ford would love to end his Texas career with a Defensive Player of the Year award cemented with his name. He also would like to help close the Longhorns' time in the Big 12 with a conference title. And if given the option to choose one, Ford puts his teammates first. 

After all, the award is just a piece of metal.

"We have a lot of seniors on this team," said Ford. "It'd be an amazing feeling for everyone, myself included, to go out and finish on a note like that." 

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