Team

6’4” • 256 lbs. • Born: 7.20.83 • Exp. (NFL/Titans): 3/3 • D6b – 2007 • Central Arkansas

2008 GP/GS: 14/3 (Playoffs 1/0) • Career GP/GS: 14/3 (Playoffs 1/0) • Memphis, Tenn.

PRO: After recovering from an Achilles injury that robbed him of his rookie season, defensive end Jacob Ford became an important presence in the defensive line rotation in his second year. He finished second on the team and sixth among all AFC defensive ends in 2008 with seven sacks in 14 games. The athletically-gifted Ford was one of the fastest defensive ends available in the 2007 rookie pool, but his talents were only briefly on display for the Titans before a left Achilles’ injury in his first training camp resulted in his placement on injured reserve. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Ford’s unique path to the NFL included one year at the University of Memphis, two years out of college, one season at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss., and finally two seasons at Central Arkansas. At the 2007 scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, the second-best time among defensive ends, and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times. He became the highest draft pick in Central Arkansas history after being selected by the Titans in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.

TITANS TIDBITS:

• Jacob Ford’s father, the late Fred “Sweet Daddy Goodlow” Ford, was an internationally renowned jazz musician best known for his talents on the baritone saxophone. He played and recorded music with countless stars in the music business, such as Little Richard, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others. Perhaps Sweet Daddy Goodlow’s most popular collaboration was with Big Mamma Thornton on the original 1952 hit single “Hound Dog.”

• His mother, Bennie Nelson West, is an accomplished ceramic artist and sits on the board of directors for the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. Ford has donated resources to the organization, which promotes and teaches music, visual arts and dance in the community.

• The Ford family was forced to endure a great tragedy during Jacob’s senior season at Central Arkansas. The youngest daughter in the family, Sarah June, passed away in December 2006 due to a pulmonary embolism.

• Ford earned his chance to play in the NFL under difficult circumstances. After being named to the All-Freshman Conference USA team in 2001, he spent the following two years out of college and out of football. He worked primarily in Memphis and Houston for FedEx and Hewlett Packard, respectively, loading trucks and sorting packages for deliveries. In 2004, he enrolled at Holmes (Goodman, Miss.) Community College and then spent his final two college seasons at Central Arkansas, the only school willing to give him a chance to continue his career.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

2008 (14/3, 1/0): In his second NFL season and first on the team’s 53-man roster, Ford finished second on the quad and ranked sixth among AFC defensive ends with seven sacks. Led or tied for team lead in sacks six times (vs. GB, at JAX, at DET, vs. CLV, at HST, at IND). Also tallied nine quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. Missed two games (9/14 at Cincinnati and 9/21 vs. Houston) with chest injury.

• At Baltimore (10/5), saw most significant action to date at defensive end after Kyle Vanden Bosch left game in first half with an injury. Registered five tackles and quarterback pressure in comeback victory.

• Against Indianapolis (10/27), made first career NFL start and notched five tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback pressure in Monday Night Football victory.

• Against Green Bay (11/2), posted career-high two sacks and a forced fumble in overtime victory. Sacked Aaron Rodgers for 10-yard loss and forced fumble that was recovered by Stephen Tulloch and added another eight-yard sack in third stanza.

• At Jacksonville (11/16), sacked David Garrard on third down late in fourth quarter and totaled four tackles in game.

• At Detroit (11/27), collected two tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two quarterback pressures in Thanksgiving victory. Dropped Drew Henson for sack while forcing fumble in fourth quarter.

• At Houston (12/14), posted four tackles, one quarterback pressure and six-yard sack of Matt Schaub.

• At Indianapolis (12/28): Started at defensive end and notched season-high seven tackles, one sack and one quarterback pressure. Sacked Peyton Manning for four-yard loss in first quarter.

2007 (0/0): Injured his left Achilles’ tendon in practice on Aug. 13 and was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 20.

COLLEGE:

• In two seasons at Central Arkansas, totaled 102 tackles, 17 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss.

• As a senior (2006), named first-team All-American by College Sports Report after starting all 10 games and leading the team with eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Added 48 tackles, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

• As a junior (2005) at Central Arkansas, named first-team All-Gulf South Conference, first-team All-Region and second-team All-American after starting all 14 games for Bears team that made NCAA Div. II quarterfinals.

• As a sophomore (2004) at Holmes Community College (Goodman, Miss.), played nine games and earned All-State honors.

• Was not enrolled in college during 2002 and 2003 seasons.

• As a freshman (2001) at Memphis, earned Freshman All-Conference USA honors after appearing in 10 games.

• Majored in mass communications.

PERSONAL:

• Engaged, splits time between Nashville and Memphis, Tenn.

• At Melrose (Memphis, Tenn.) High School, earned All-Shelby Metro, Prep Star All-Southeast Region and High Tech Tennessee's Top Prospect List honors as senior two-way lineman. Registered 229 tackles and 32 sacks during career and helped team win 1998 State Championship.

• Also ran track three seasons, competing in 110m and 300m hurdles.

• Enjoys drawing and painting portraits and landscapes.

• Has donated time and resources to the non profits Ellie’s Run for Africa, Invisible Children and Action for Healthy Kids.

• List of favorites: (movie) “300”; (TV show) “SportsCenter”; (actor) Will Smith; (musicians) Fred Ford; (sports hero) Jason Taylor; (school subject) history; (video game) Street Fighter IV; and (food) sushi.

• Born Jacob Aaron Taylor Ford on July 20, 1983 in Memphis, Tenn.