Courtland Ford 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Second-year starter for the Trojans in 2022
• First-Team All-State (6A) as a high school senior

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Spread offense
• 2022 projected role: Starting LT

Pros: There are superb physical gifts here at Courtland Ford’s disposal. He’s athletic, fluid, long, and showcases potent hand-strike ability when he’s in close quarters. Ford offers a lot of activeness throughout his frame and has the kind of athletic range to be a factor in all phases—in vertical pass sets, climbing to the second level, perimeter screens, or anything in between. This is a “sky is the limit” caliber athlete who offensive line coaches would likely love to get their hands on in hopes of molding his skills into a more refined player. The variance of outcomes here is massive but some of the high-level reps of anchoring in pass protection, utilizing length on the edge, and mobility are hard to overlook when assessing Ford’s ability. The lack of experience contributes to his high variance of outcomes but also makes it easy to project continued growth and development.

Cons: For all the upside that is present with Courtland Ford’s physical abilities, you get the sense you’re starting at square one with a lot of the fundamentals based on the 2021 film. The erratic reps are too frequent and allowed defenders to slip past him with little resistance, with issues rooted in footwork, angles, punch timing, and more. This isn’t a player who, based on his first season of starting, is ready for the NFL level. His jump in performance into 2022 will be very telling, but the expectation is that he’ll be markedly improved. If he is, his stock could rise rather quickly. But if he plateaus amid a coaching change at USC this season, it could serve as a red flag that he’s more of a developmental prospect than optimistic projections would indicate.

Courtland Ford NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs