Andrew Ford arrived at the Under Armour All-America Underclassmen Combine in St. Petersburg, Fla., earlier this month ready to get better.
“I just wanted to compare myself,” the 2014 Pennsylvania quarterback said. “This was the best group of high school kids in the country. I just wanted to compete and learn from the great coaches here and have fun. This only happens once in a lifetime.”
Ford is still waiting on his first offer, but is hearing from several big-time schools like Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Rutgers among others.
“Recruiting is going well,” said Ford. “There hasn’t been too much contact lately, but coaches were coming in left and right after the regular season and before the bowl games. I have a list of about 15 schools already contacting me saying they’d be back and want to see me throw in person or just talk.
“It’s a waiting process, but I think it’ll be worth the wait.”
Ford had hoped to visit Notre Dame for the Irish’s last home game of the season, but had to postpone the trip. He’s still looking forward to getting to South Bend at some point.
“I’ll be out for a basketball game,” he said. “We haven’t set a date, but we’re going to go out there and meet the academic people, just hang out for a day, go watch a basketball game and see what they’re all about.”
Ford plays for Cedar Cliff High School in Camp Hill, Pa., the same program that produced 2013 tight end prospect Adam Breneman. Irish assistant Chuck Martin handled Breneman’s recruitment for Notre Dame and Martin has been Ford’s main contact as well.
“We kind of developed a bond last year and kept it going this year,” Ford said of Martin.
Martin’s involvement means a lot to Ford considering Pennsylvania is outside of the Irish offensive coordinator’s recruiting area.
“He’s obviously going to recruit the quarterback that he wants because he’s the offensive coordinator,” said Ford. “Hopefully, when he comes back, I can live up to his expectations.”
Ford is planning on visiting some other colleges soon as well.
“I’m probably going to get to four or five more schools for basketball games, probably schools down South, but I haven’t set anything up yet,” he said.
He also has no leaders.
“I don’t have a favorite, but right now I think Rutgers and Virginia are up there at the top,” he said. “All of the schools are great. I haven’t really singled anything out. I’m open to everyone and I’m just trying to enjoy this. I think these next couple of months, things will really start to clear up for me.”
Ford threw the ball well at the combine, but really opened eyes by running a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash, by far the best among participating quarterbacks and eighth among all prospects.
