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Wide Receiver Isaiah Ford Drafted by the Miami Dolphins

By Mike McDaniel

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) is tackled by East Carolina Pirates defensive back Travon Simmons (3) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) is tackled by East Carolina Pirates defensive back Travon Simmons (3) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wide receiver Isaiah Ford was selected in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins on Saturday afternoon

The long wait for Isaiah Ford is finally over.

Virginia Tech’s school record holder in receptions (210), yards (2,967), and touchdowns (24) was surprisingly the last member of the Hokies off the board in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ford was selected in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins, as the 237th overall pick.

Much like his teammate Bucky Hodges, Isaiah Ford had a strong junior season that put him in the conversation of leaving school early for the NFL. At the time the decision was made back in January, the move made a ton of sense given the season that Ford had just completed.

There was not much left to accomplish in Blacksburg for Ford other than team goals such as an ACC Championship and beyond. Individually, Ford set nearly every receiving record in the history of Virginia Tech football, so leaving for the NFL seemed like a slam dunk.

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However, the combine was not friendly to Isaiah Ford, as he did not test quite as well as expected. The 6’1″ 195 lbs. Ford ran only a 4.64 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which was slower than expected for an undersized outside receiver. The height is there with Ford, but the bulkiness of his body at the NFL level was a concern, as Ford plays primarily outside the numbers and very rarely in the slot.

Those concerns expressed by scouts manifested itself on draft weekend, with Ford, despite his pedigree, falling to the seventh round of the draft. All of a sudden, Ford’s decision to declare early for the draft appeared to be a mistake.

However, despite the knocks on his size, Ford will get his opportunity with the Dolphins in an offense with a veteran quarterback in Ryan Tannehill.

Ford will come into camp hungrier than ever to succeed given his unexpected drop to the seventh round, and will have an opportunity to be a late-round success story that can be discussed in the years ahead.

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