QB Ford commits to Virginia Tech football
New Hokies offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler was a selling point for the lefty from Camp Hill, Pa.
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Sunday, June 16, 2013
When quarterback recruit Andrew Ford visited Virginia Tech's one-day camp earlier this month, he had a chance to ask Logan Thomas about what he thought of new Hokies offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.
"Logan said that he's learned more from coach Loeffler in three months than the previous three years he'd been on campus before," Ford said. "It really validates a lot of the stuff I've heard."
It led to Ford's commitment to the Hokies on Sunday, the latest quarterback domino to fall in the 2014 class.
Virginia Tech missed on two big quarterback targets, David Cornwell and Jacob Park, who chose Alabama and Georgia, respectively, within hours Friday. But the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Ford, who had 11 offers and had Virginia and Pittsburgh as finalists as well, isn't a bad consolation prize.
The lefty from Camp Hill, Pa., recently earned an invitation to the Elite 11 Camp that begins later this month near the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Tyrod Taylor is the only other Hokies quarterback commit to earn an invite in the event's 15-year history.
Ford also threw for 2,957 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior for Cedar Cliff High, earning him a four-star rating by 247 Sports and a three-star ranking by Rivals, which list him as the No. 17 and 19 pro-style quarterback nationally, respectively.
Virginia Tech came on Ford's radar only once the new offensive staff was hired in January.
Ford's high school coach, Jim Cantafio, also coached current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne, who worked with Loeffler at Michigan. Ford and Henne got to know each other last summer and spoke frequently through the recruiting process.
"He was telling me things that throughout his experience, coach Loeffler is tough, but he cares about you and does what's best for you," Ford said. "Chad said he learned stuff at Michigan in his first three months that these coaches in the NFL still haven't taught him. So when you're hearing that from a guy like Chad Henne, that means a lot."
Ford is the 10th commitment the Hokies have for 2014. Those are non-binding until players sign letters of intent next February.
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. WOYM: Fewer stinkbugs? You may have wasps to thank
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
THE ROANOKE TIMES
