WATCH: Texas LB Jaylan Ford Releases Heartfelt Goodbye Video To Longhorns

After four years with the program, Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford is saying goodbye to the program

Matt Galatzan | Jan 8, 2024

WATCH: Texas LB Jaylan Ford Releases Heartfelt Goodbye Video To Longhorns /

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There have been few linebackers in Longhorns history who have had as much of an impact over their final two years with a team as Jaylan Ford has in 2022 and 2023.

And with the Longhorns' loss to Washington in the Sugar Bowl last week, Ford's time in Austin has officially come to an end after four seasons.

Ford released a heartfelt goodbye video on Monday afternoon, thanking the program and Texas fans everywhere for their support.

To my longhorn family, thank you.

Love, 41🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/fFtFYboS2S
— Jaylan Ford (@Jaylanfxrd) January 8, 2024

While he didn't specifically announce it in the video, Ford is likely heading to the NFL, where he likely projects as a Day 3 pick, somewhere between rounds 4-7.

Originally coming to Texas as a three-star recruit, Ford ranked as the No. 1,221 overall recruit, 81st outside linebacker and 153 player in the state of Texas.

Suffice it to say, he greatly exceeded expectations during his time in Austin.

Ford now ends his career with the Longhorns amassing over 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons and earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in each of those seasons.

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He was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2022 after amassing 119 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions.

In total, Ford finishes his career with 287 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, six interceptions, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 42 games.

Ford was a starter in every game over the last two years, and was the unequivocal leader of the Texas defense.

Published Jan 8, 2024

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.