Mike Ford Bio
Michael Ford Jr. (born August 4, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks before beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 199 pounds, Ford has built his career as a reserve and rotational defender, contributing on special teams and at cornerback across multiple franchises.
Over the course of his professional journey, Ford has worn the uniform of the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans before returning to Atlanta in 2025. Known for his work ethic and durability, he has continued to earn roles on active rosters despite moving through several teams since entering the league.
Early Life and Background
Michael Ford Jr. was born on August 4, 1995, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in nearby Alton, Illinois. He attended Marquette Catholic High School, where he developed into a versatile two-way player for the Explorers football program. During his high school years, Ford lined up at both running back and defensive back, demonstrating the athletic range that would later define his college recruitment.
As a senior at Marquette Catholic, Ford earned first-team all-conference recognition on both offense and defense, along with All-State honors at running back. That season, he rushed for 1,614 yards and 28 touchdowns, added five more touchdowns on returns, and contributed 69 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions on defense. His senior production helped establish him as a multi-position college prospect.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Ford committed to Southeast Missouri State University, where he spent five seasons with the Redhawks from 2013 to 2017. He redshirted his first year on campus before transitioning to wide receiver as a redshirt freshman. The coaching staff soon moved him to defensive back early in his redshirt freshman season, a position change that ultimately shaped his professional future.
As a redshirt sophomore in his first season as a starter, Ford recorded 44 tackles, five interceptions, and seven pass breakups, earning second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 2015. By his redshirt senior year, he had added 32 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and 14 passes broken up to his college resume. These seasons at Southeast Missouri State helped him refine the coverage and tackling skills that prepared him for an NFL opportunity.
Mike Ford Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Ford signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018, after going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft. He did not make the Lions’ active roster out of training camp and was signed to the team’s practice squad on September 2. His opportunity arrived on November 14, when the Lions promoted him to the active roster after placing offensive guard T. J. Lang on injured reserve.
Ford made his NFL debut on November 18, 2018, starting at cornerback and playing on special teams in a 20–19 win over the Carolina Panthers, where he recorded two tackles. As a rookie, he appeared in seven games with four starts and finished with 25 tackles. In 2019, he played in 15 games with two starts, recording 12 tackles and two passes defended, and was tendered a one-year contract as an exclusive rights free agent in March 2020. After signing the tender in April, he was placed on injured reserve in September and later activated in October before being waived by Detroit in August 2021.
Detroit Lions Era (2018–2021)
Ford’s longest early professional tenure came with the Detroit Lions, where he developed from an undrafted rookie into a regular contributor on defense and special teams. Across his time in Detroit, he appeared in games during the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons, building experience in nickel and boundary corner roles. The Lions signed him to a contract extension in March 2021 before ultimately waiving him in late August of that year.
Denver Broncos Era (2021)
On September 1, 2021, Ford was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos, marking his first change of teams since entering the league. He appeared in a short stretch of the season before being placed on injured reserve on October 16. Following his activation on November 6, Ford continued to contribute on special teams and in the secondary as Denver closed out the year.
Atlanta Falcons (First Stint) (2022)
On April 8, 2022, Ford signed with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning what would become a recurring connection with the franchise. He worked into the secondary rotation and on special teams units, providing veteran depth at cornerback throughout the 2022 season. His time in Atlanta during this period laid the groundwork for later returns to the organization.
Cleveland Browns (First Stint) (2023)
Ford signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 21, 2023, joining a competitive defensive backfield. He contributed on defense and special teams during the 2023 season, continuing his role as a reliable depth cornerback. His physicality and experience made him a fit for Cleveland’s defensive scheme that year.
Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns (Second Stint) (2024)
On March 15, 2024, Ford signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, though he was released on August 27. Just two days later, on August 29, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad and promoted to the active roster on September 11. The midseason movement reflected his value as a flexible veteran defender willing to contribute in multiple roles.
Atlanta Falcons (Second Stint) Era (2025–Present)
On March 17, 2025, Ford signed with the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year contract, returning to the franchise where he had previously spent the 2022 season. The deal extends through the 2026 season, providing stability for the veteran cornerback. His return to Atlanta signals continued confidence in his ability to contribute on defense and special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mike Ford Jr. is recognized as a physical, assignment-sound cornerback who excels in run support and on special teams coverage. His college background as a two-way player translates to a willingness to tackle in space and to play aggressively at the line of scrimmage. He has also shown reliability in zone coverage, where his instincts and experience allow him to read quarterbacks and break on routes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One signature moment of Ford’s career came on November 18, 2018, when he made his NFL debut as a starter and recorded two tackles in a one-point win over the Carolina Panthers. He also earned second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference recognition in 2015 during his redshirt sophomore season at Southeast Missouri State. His repeated returns to Atlanta across multiple contracts underline his reputation as a dependable veteran presence.
Mike Ford Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Mike Ford Jr. has been valued more for his consistency, versatility, and special teams impact than for headline statistical production. His role on each roster has been that of a reliable depth cornerback who can step into starting duty when needed. The following sections summarize his team-by-team contributions and verified career statistics as of the 2025 season.
Detroit Lions Highlights
Ford’s most extensive body of work came with the Detroit Lions from 2018 to 2020. He appeared in 22 games with six starts across his rookie and sophomore campaigns, recording 37 tackles and two passes defended. His first NFL start and his first career tackles both came in a tight 20–19 win over the Carolina Panthers in November 2018, a result that helped establish his early role with the team.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Detroit, Ford has logged appearances with the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. Across his full NFL career as of the 2025 season, he has recorded 130 total tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 6 pass deflections, and 1 interception. He has continued to contribute on special teams coverage units, an area where his tackling and angles have been consistently praised by coaches.
Mike Ford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified information on Mike Ford Jr.’s immediate family is limited. He is listed in team directories as Michael Ford Jr., indicating a family naming tradition. Details about his parents, siblings, and extended family have not been widely published in verified sources.
Personal Life
Mike Ford Jr. maintains a public presence through social media, including accounts on Instagram and X under the handle mikefordjr. He has not publicly disclosed details of a marriage, partner, or children in widely available sources. He has spent the majority of his professional life in the United States, with connections to both his hometown region around Alton, Illinois, and the cities of his NFL teams.
2025 Season Performance
Mike Ford Jr. enters the 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons after signing a two-year contract on March 17, 2025. His return to Atlanta provides the Falcons with veteran depth at cornerback and on special teams, areas where his experience has consistently shown value. Through the early portion of the season, he has continued to log work in reserve and rotational roles.
As of the 2025 NFL season, Ford’s career statistics include 130 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception. His production remains centered on physical cornerback play, run support, and dependable special teams snaps. With the contract running through 2026, Ford has a clear opportunity to add to his totals while mentoring younger defensive backs in the Falcons’ secondary room.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Ford in Atlanta revolves around maintaining his spot in the rotation, contributing on special teams, and providing a steady veteran presence in the defensive backfield. His familiarity with the Falcons’ system from 2022 may accelerate his integration into defensive packages. As long as he continues to deliver on his core responsibilities, he is positioned to remain a meaningful piece of Atlanta’s roster through the end of his current deal.