Ford ready to make his mark in CFL after NFL tryouts

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This article was published 20/05/2022 (1325 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Friday was Tyrell Ford’s first day in the CFL, but the rookie defensive back for Blue Bombers already knows what he’ll do if he ever intercepts one of his twin brother’s passes.

“I’d probably keep the ball, sign it and give it to him,” Ford said with a smile after Friday’s practice at IG Field.

The 13th overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft might have an opportunity to make that happen next week when the Bombers play their first exhibition of the preseason on May 27 against the Edmonton Elks — who drafted quarterback Tre Ford with the eighth pick. The Ford twins played U Sports football together at the University of Waterloo.

“I guess people might look at it and make it bigger than it is,” Ford said.

“He’s a player, I’m a player, we’re on different teams. We’re just gonna go out there and compete, but it’s all love at the end of the day.”

The Bombers announced early Friday morning that they had signed Ford. The 24-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., signed late as he scored mini-camp invites from the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I definitely didn’t feel out of place. I felt like I could do everything they could,” said Ford. “The biggest adjustment was definitely the language. Their terminology is a lot different from ours so that was probably the biggest part of it. It was definitely challenging. But it was two great experiences and I learned a lot.”

Ford got back from Pittsburgh on Sunday and likely would’ve signed sooner, but he and his agent wanted to see how the CFL player strike played out.

“There are still some NFL teams that are interested in me but they wanted me to wait in case a guy goes down, to get a workout,” said Ford.

“But I don’t want to miss a season of football, so it was an easy choice for me.”

It’s rare for Canadians to start at corner, but Ford believes he can pull it off. He had the best 40-yard time at the CFL combine (4.42) and was in the Top 10 for vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, and 20-yard short shuttle. At Waterloo, Ford was a three-time OUA All-Star and a two-time Second Team All-Canadian.

“The Ford brothers are a pretty prominent set of twins for a number of years. It’s not like they just sort of popped onto the radar all of a sudden, right? These are guys that you notice every time you watch film,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.

“In previous draft classes, you see these guys up all the time on the film with somebody else you’re watching. And then you throw in the combine and what he did there, I think he answered some questions there about his coverage ability. You interview them and Tyrell’s interview was excellent. He’s a really good kid.”

Bombers sign top 2021 draft choice

Liam Dobson is finally in Winnipeg.

The Bombers announced Friday afternoon they’ve reached an agreement with the Canadian offensive lineman and third overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft on a two-year contract.

Dobson, who hails from Ottawa, originally opted to try his hand at the USFL and was chosen in the 23rd round of the upstart league’s draft by the New Orleans Breakers, but work-visa issues prevented him from playing. He was recently with the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints at their mini-camps.

Dobson will report to Bombers training camp today.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31