Special Teams, Special Plays, Special Players Mindset for Notre Dame's Devyn Ford
Devyn Ford has seen it all during his collegiate career. The 5-foot-11, 198-pounder spent four years at Penn State and then transferred to Notre Dame a year ago to provide depth in the running back room.
In year six, Ford will see something new.
The Virginia native has made the switch from running back to safety as he looks to become one of the best special teams players in the country.
Of course, a significant move of this nature isn’t the easiest, but Notre Dame’s staff, led by Deland McCullough, made sure Ford saw all the positives of making the switch.
“We had discussions about switching to receiver or staying at RB or switching to defense to play safety,” Ford stated. “It was just constant conversation about what was going on. He checked in about every two weeks, trying to figure out where my head was at, and it came down to a decision.
“I felt like this was the best opportunity for myself as well as going forward with the team. Definitely to enhance the special teams ability, I’d be willing to play defense a little bit better. Basically coming in and closing down on tackles and being in better position to make a tackle.”
The move wasn’t necessarily a shock, as Notre Dame has one of the best rooms in the country and added two early enrollees.
Ford also knows showing he can play special teams at a high level could extend his career past year six in college. He’ll get a chance to make an impact as key pieces like DJ Brown have moved on from the program.
“I’m definitely happy,” Ford explained. “I’m glad they were able to ask me to fill that role and be able to take it on and understand where I can move. It shows a lot of ability to trust in me as well as my trust in them. It’s pretty nice.”
A year ago, Ford showed off his return ability and made four tackles. Those stats will likely increase this year as he spends more time learning the finer points of defense.
“Close, gather, press,” Ford stated. “Making sure I’m closing within seven yards, gathering and then making the tackle on the hip. (Focus) my eye through his hip so I don’t miss. I think that was my problem last year. I didn’t know of those rules, so if anything I was just flying down like a missile and hoping I hit something.”
Ford’s experience will also be valuable to the Notre Dame program given he’s played in 42 career games. He’ll also turn 24 in the fall and Ford isn’t afraid to pass on lessons that he learned as a youngster.
“One famous word from my man Nick Pieri back at Penn State when I was a freshman and he was a senior,” recalled Ford. “He said, ‘You’re never too old to learn.’ So always be young-minded and always have a notebook with you so you can write things down. I’m out here like it’s day one, still trying to learn the defense, still trying to learn the offense, still trying to learn everything that’s around me.
“You never know when your time is going to end. No matter what somebody else says, there might be information that you may need later in your life. That’s one thing that stuck with me is you’re never too old to learn.”
Another perk of returning to Notre Dame will be facing off against his friend and former teammate, Chris Tyree, who transferred to Virginia in the offseason.
Both were two of the most talked about athletes coming out of Virginia in recent years and there’s a great deal of love between the two.
“Everyone loves him, man,” Ford said. “I still love CT. That’s not ever going to change. He’s got to do what he’s got to do. No, we didn’t have any prior conversations about what he wanted to do or what was going on. But again, it’s right foot, left foot. Just keep it moving.
“We talked about it, he left and then we keep on going. It’s not like it’s a bad thing or a good thing. It’s just we have to make sure we fill that spot next time. Just keep the ball rolling. Best of luck for him down at UVA. He’s obviously back at the crib, doing what he needs to do.”
And yes, there will be some friendly bragging rights on the line when Virginia comes to Notre Dame Stadium in November.
“If I get a chance to be in his ear, I definitely will be in his ear,” laughed Ford. “I’m not going to let it up. When it’s game on, it’s game time. You feel me? I’m definitely not going to try to take it lightly on him, but obviously between the whistles. After the game, of course, we’re going to be friends. We’re going to chop it up.”
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