Jerome Ford Bio
Jerome Ford is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner who most recently played in the National Football League (NFL). Born in Tampa, Florida, he played college football at the University of Alabama and the University of Cincinnati before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 210 pounds, Ford has built his career on a blend of speed, pass-catching ability, and special teams value.
After spending his first four professional seasons in Cleveland, Ford signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2026, continuing his career as a depth back and return specialist. Through the 2025 season, he had established himself as a reliable contributor in both the running and passing game.
Early Life and Background
Jerome Ford was born on September 12, 1999, in Tampa, Florida. He grew up in the Tampa Bay area and attended Armwood High School in nearby Seffner, Florida, where he developed into a highly recruited running back prospect. His performances at Armwood earned him recognition as one of the top high school running backs in the state.
Coming out of high school, Ford committed to the University of Alabama to play college football, joining one of the most decorated programs in the country. His path from Tampa to the Southeastern Conference reflected both his physical tools and his early reputation as a versatile playmaker.
Path to American Football
Ford began his college career at Alabama in 2018, where he spent two seasons working within a deep and talented backfield. Over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he rushed for 151 yards on 31 carries, scoring three touchdowns while learning behind more experienced teammates. The crowded depth chart in Tuscaloosa limited his opportunities, but the experience sharpened his approach to the position.
In 2020, Ford transferred to the University of Cincinnati seeking a larger role. During his first season with the Bearcats, he played in 10 games as a backup and produced 483 rushing yards on 73 carries with eight touchdowns. The following year, he broke out as a full-time starter, rushing for 1,319 yards on 6.2 yards per carry and 19 touchdowns while adding 21 catches for 220 yards and a receiving score. His 2021 campaign earned him first-team All-AAC honors and the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game MVP award, helping lead Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff.
Jerome Ford Career
Early Career (2022)
Jerome Ford entered the NFL when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round, 156th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He joined a Cleveland backfield headlined by star running back Nick Chubb and was expected to develop into a complementary contributor. His rookie season, however, was cut short when he suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2022. Ford was later activated from injured reserve on November 12, providing him a late-season opportunity to adjust to the professional level.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Ford’s role expanded dramatically in 2023 after Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Taking over as the Browns’ starting running back, Ford delivered one of the most productive stretches of his career, finishing the season with 813 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 204 carries. He also proved to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, recording 44 receptions for 319 yards and five receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat value in the Cleveland offense.
In 2024, Ford entered the season as Cleveland’s starting running back while Chubb continued his recovery from the prior year’s injury. He played in 14 games with six starts, producing 565 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on the ground while adding 37 receptions for 225 yards through the air. When Chubb returned to action midseason, Ford shifted into a backup role, embracing the change while continuing to contribute on offense and special teams.
Washington Commanders Era (2026–Present)
On March 19, 2026, Jerome Ford signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Washington Commanders, opening a new chapter in his professional career. The move reunited him with an opportunity to compete for a role in a backfield looking to add experienced depth and a proven pass-catching threat.
Ford arrived in Washington following a 2025 campaign in which he served as Cleveland’s third-string running back behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. In 13 appearances, he carried the ball 24 times for 73 yards while logging 26 receptions for 103 yards. His season ended after he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans and was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although primarily known as a running back, Ford’s professional profile has been shaped by his versatility as both a runner and a receiver. He excels in pass-catching situations out of the backfield, evidenced by his 107 career receptions for 647 yards and five receiving touchdowns. His compact build, vision in space, and reliability on kickoff returns have made him a valuable complementary piece in NFL offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Ford’s career was his 2021 breakout at Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff and earned AAC Championship Game MVP honors. In the NFL, his 2023 season stands out, when he stepped into a starting role and produced 813 rushing yards and nine combined touchdowns. His transition to the Washington Commanders in March 2026 marked another milestone, signaling continued belief in his professional trajectory.
Jerome Ford Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Jerome Ford had compiled 1,463 career rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry with seven rushing touchdowns, complemented by 107 receptions for 647 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He also contributed 1,405 return yards on special teams, underlining his three-phase value. His college resume includes 2,053 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns across his time at Alabama and Cincinnati, capped by a 1,319-yard, 19-touchdown senior season.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
During his four seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 2022 through 2025, Ford developed from a fifth-round rookie into a dependable starting-caliber back. His most productive season came in 2023, when he filled in for the injured Nick Chubb and delivered 813 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and 44 receptions for 319 yards and five scores. He followed that performance with a solid 565-yard rushing campaign in 2024 before shifting back to a reserve role in 2025.
Other Performances
Beyond his work as a runner, Ford built a notable reputation as a kickoff returner, accumulating 1,405 return yards during his time in Cleveland. His ability to contribute on special teams added a dimension to his game that few running backs of his draft position offered.
Jerome Ford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jerome Ford was raised in the Tampa, Florida area, where he attended Armwood High School in Seffner. He developed into a top recruit in a region long recognized for producing professional football talent. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Ford has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and verified information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not currently available. He is known to maintain an active presence on social media, where fans can follow updates about his career and community involvement.
2025 Season Performance
Jerome Ford’s 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns was defined by a reduced role behind a crowded backfield. Operating as the team’s third-string running back behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Ford appeared in 13 games and contributed 73 rushing yards on 24 carries while adding 26 receptions for 103 yards as a pass-catching option. His usage reflected Cleveland’s reliance on its younger rushers, though he continued to provide veteran depth.
The season was cut short when Ford suffered a shoulder injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, leading to a placement on injured reserve on December 9, 2025. Despite the limited offensive volume, his presence on special teams remained a consistent part of his contribution. The injury ultimately set the stage for his next opportunity.
Looking ahead, Ford’s signing with the Washington Commanders in March 2026 positions him to compete for a defined role in a new organization. His track record as a pass-catching back and return specialist gives him a clear path to contribute, and his experience in high-volume situations offers a stabilizing presence for a Commanders backfield looking to round out its depth chart.
