Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford (born September 12, 1999) is an American professional football running back. Ford played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He has also played for the Washington Commanders.

Early life Ford attended Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida. He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

College career Ford played at Alabama in 2018 and 2019. Over the two years he rushed for 151 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns. In 2020, he transferred to the University of Cincinnati.

During his first year at Cincinnati in 2020, he played in 10 games as the backup to Gerrid Doaks, rushing for 483 yards on 73 carries with eight touchdowns. In 2021, he started all 13 games, rushing for 1,319 yards (6.2 YPC) and 19 touchdowns, paired with 21 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown. He was named first-team All-AAC at running back as he helped lead the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns Ford was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, 156th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2022. Ford was activated from injured reserve on November 12.

In 2023, Ford took over as the starting running back after Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. Ford finished the season with 813 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 204 rushing attempts, as well as 44 catches for 319 yards and five touchdowns on 63 targets.

Ford was named the starting running back in 2024 while Chubb recovered from his 2023 injury, but was moved to a backup role following his return midseason. He played in 14 games with six starts, recording 565 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 37 catches for 225 yards.

In 2025, Ford operated as Cleveland's third-string running back behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. In 13 appearances for the team, he rushed 24 times for 73 yards and logged 26 receptions for 103 yards. After suffering a shoulder injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, Ford was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2025.

Washington Commanders On March 19, 2026, Ford signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Washington Commanders. Ford was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2026, and was released with an injury settlement a week later.

Career statistics NFL Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Kickoff return Fumbles GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost 2022 CLE 13 0 8 12 1.5 9 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 30 723 24.1 48 0 0 0 2023 CLE 17 12 204 813 4.0 69 4 44 319 7.3 50 5 — — — — — 1 12024CLE1461045655.4663372256.12601538825.956000 Career 44 18 316 1390 4.4 69 7 81 544 6.7 50 5 45 1111 24.7 56 0 1 1

Postseason Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost 2023 CLE 1 1 9 17 1.9 7 0 4 15 3.8 11 0 0 0 Career 1 1 9 17 1.9 7 0 4 15 3.8 11 0 0 0

College Season Team GP Rushing Receiving Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD 2018 Alabama 4 7 37 5.3 0 0 0 0.0 0 2019 Alabama 4 24 114 4.8 3 2 11 5.5 0 2020 Cincinnati 10 73 483 6.6 8 8 51 6.4 0 2021 Cincinnati 13 215 1,319 6.1 19 21 220 10.5 1 Career 31 319 1,953 6.1 30 31 282 9.1 1