Vols Back in Pahokee, Sort Of

Pahokee 2010 lineman Antonio Ford had a handful of offer from the likes of Wake Forest, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Purdue and FIU. Recently the 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman received offers from Colorado State and Tennessee. The offer from the Vols caught Ford off guard.

“I was more surprised than happy, because they never sent me letters,” explained Ford. “They just offered me out of the blue.”

Running backs coach Eddie Gran is handling Ford’s recruitment, the same man credited with reeling in former Pahokee star Nu’Keese Richardson this past February.

“I talked to a coach last night, that’s how I knew about the offer,” said Ford. “He said they like me at offensive line because I’m versatile and can play any position. They also said I can play defensive line if I want to when I get up there.”

The whole nation knows about Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin’s regrettable remarks towards the Pahokee community shortly after landing Richardson. It appears those comments still ring in the ears of some at Pahokee High, as coaches from Tennessee attempted to visit Pahokee earlier in the week.

“The principal kicked them out because he’s still mad at the coach or something like that,” said Ford.

As of now there are still plans for members of the Pahokee team to make it to Knoxville this summer, while Ford, and early enrollee candidate, would like to camp at a couple other schools as well.

“We are supposed to go to a camp at Tennessee. I’m trying to get to Vanderbilt and Minnesota.”

To kick off the season next fall Pahokee will face 6A state power Miami Northwestern in a highly anticipated game for many in South Florida.

“I’m really excited about the game because I want to see what all the hype is about. Plus (Northwestern defensive tackle) Todd Chandler was talking. That’s what I heard, so I’ll definitely be excited to play in that game.”

Ford will be playing both ways this year for Pahokee at right tackle and defensive tackle. Pahokee plays Boyd Anderson at Lockhart Stadium May 29th.