D.J. Ford

Position:
Safety
Height:
6-3
Weight:
208
Class:
Graduate Student
Hometown:
Ashland, Ala.
High School:
Clay Central
Prev School:
North Carolina
Major:
Marketing

Has made an immediate impact upon arrival at East Carolina, most notably from a maturity and leadership perspective - both on and off the field … Officially signed with the Pirates on December 16, 2020 and enrolled in classes in January … Has one year of eligibility remaining ... Should contend for American Athletic Conference honors candidacy as the projected starter at the strong or “buc” safety position … Enjoyed an impressive spring showing that followed a one-year layoff … Collected four tackles and batted down a pass during the Pirates’ first spring scrimmage on April 17 before following up with a solo stop in the Purple-Gold Game a week later … Originally a member of North Carolina's 2016 recruiting class and played in the Tar Heels' program for four seasons … Helped UNC post 20 wins and was part of two bowl appearances during his time in Chapel Hill ... Appeared in 33 games and made nine starts ... Tallied 72 tackles (38 solo), four pass breakups and three quarterback pressures ... Also credited with 2.5 TFLs (-11 yards), which included one sack (-7 yards) ... Added an interception, a forced fumble and recovery along with a blocked field goal attempt.

2020 (North Carolina): Did not play (opted out prior to the beginning of the season due to COVID-19 concerns).

2019 (North Carolina): Experienced action in 13 games and made seven starts in the secondary ... Booked 54 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack, three hurries, two breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception ... Logged a career-high 12 tackles and a fumble recovery at Virginia Tech ... Credited with six stops and a QBH against Duke ... Other notable outings include five-tackle performances vs. South Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, Pittsburgh and Appalachian State ... Collected four hits vs. Miami and two vs. Clemson ... Picked off his first career pass during road win at Georgia Tech and registered first sack against Cavaliers.

2018 (North Carolina): Appeared in nine contests, starting two ... Tallied 15 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble ... Recorded a season-high five stops and a batted pass at Duke, while contributing three tackles in tilts against East Carolina and Miami ... Had single stops vs. California, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Western Carolina ... Broke up other pass at Syracuse and forced a fumble at Virginia.

2017 (North Carolina): Played in opener against California before suffering a season-ending injury (redshirted).

2016 (North Carolina): Notched three tackles (one solo) while playing in 10 games as a true freshman ... Credited with a blocked field goal in a 48-20 win over Georgia Tech.

High School: Started at safety on defense and split end on offense for coach Kris Herron at Clay Central ... Topped the team in tackles and intercepted three passes ... Earned all-area honors as a senior in 2015 and was selected to the PrepStar All-Southeast Region squad ... A consensus three-star prospect according to ESPN.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com ... Beta Club member.

Personal: Son of John Garrett and Asheika Ford ... Major is marketing … Earned ECU Dean’s List status during first semester on campus (‘21 spring) … Has a profound interest and subsequent expertise in art photography.