Jon Ford And Jordan Miller Impressing Coaches

When talking to defensive line coach Todd Stroud after practice on Tuesday, coach Stroud spoke highly of two players when asked about the defensive tackles; Jonathan Ford and Jordan Miller.

“Jon Ford has had an amazing camp, he got hurt midway through the spring and missed about seven practices,” said Stroud to reporters on Tuesday. “He had a great summer and hasn't really missed a step in camp right now.”

Ford, a junior from Ft. Lauderdale, is a player who people have been high on for several years now, and is now expected to make that next big step in 2019. While he didn’t start in any games last season, Ford saw action in 10 games, though he was quiet with just eight total tackles and two TFLs, with no sacks.

This year, especially with Nesta Jade Silvera looking to be out with an injury for 6-to-8 weeks, Ford is going to have to take that next big jump in the rotation and keep the position of DT strong at Miami. The former three-star recruit from Dillard High School has been taking first team reps alongside Pat Bethel on the defensive line since fall camp started.

Coach Stroud also gave high praise to redshirt freshman Jordan Miller, whose been making leaps and bounds since last season. The Sandalwood High (Jacksonville) product saw action in just one game in 2018 vs Savannah State, but has been making people drop their jaws at his body transformation.

New strength and conditioning coach David Feeley has definitely made an impact with many players so far, but Miller’s is one of the most impressive.

“The guy that’s having one of the best camps of all 19 guys is Jordan Miller,” said Stroud after practice. “He’s quicker, he’s stronger, he’s more fit, he’s lost some body weight.”

Miller, with Silvera out for half of the season it seems like, will be looked at as the fourth DT in the rotation, behind Bethel, Ford and UCLA transfer Chigozie Nnoruka.

GO CANES!