He’s one of those coaches’ dream players. He’s happy or sad and you can’t even tell. Shaquem is missing a hand. “I'm not shocked (by him). Location: Ford High School, Show All Events. — Poona Ford (@PoonaF_95) March 15, 2021 Now Ford and fellow tackle Jarran Reed (28, signed through 2021) are the mainstays in the middle of … Imma trust you until you show me that I can’t trust you.’” said Hurtt. Ultimately, Ford was short in high school, he was short at Texas and he’ll be short in the NFL. All of the hundred-yard sprints in the world won’t change that. Ford had absurd production in high school (70+ combined tackles for loss as a junior/senior), is extremely quick, can run (sub 4.9 40 at 280 pounds), and is as football field strong as he is in the weight room. “He’s a 310-pound Bo Jackson,” said Payne in a phone interview with SeattlePI. Surrounded by a big family and an island that has watched him grow as a player, Poona is grounded in strong family values and character. “He’s beat up and hurt and you don’t even know it. Amazing Device Lights Up Countertops And Fixes Dark Kitchens, © Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images. The 2014 graduate of Hilton Head High School set several school records and was named the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year. Hilton Head Island native Poona Ford is living his NFL dream with Seattle. As a school family we strive to find a place in which every student can get involved. “I always dreamed of playing in the NFL. Poona Ford, Bobby Wagner coming right at you in Seahawks daily bag drill, training camp day three. Ford is committed to Louisville. But with his ability to knock back guards, the Seahawks have been playing him more this year at the three-technique defensive tackle spot – lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard, between the guard and the tackle – where he has more space to operate and beat single blocks to penetrate into the backfield. He’s up to two sacks and counting in 2020, too, up from 0.5 last year. It’s in those times, when you can sit on the sideline and watch a bright and promising career in the making; of what it can and will be, from its inception. It's awesome to see. He’s A1 all day long. He claims a 600 pound squat and a 34 inch vertical and you can see it in his highlights when he uncoils on someone. “He’s one of those guys that if you take him to the alley with you, he’s going to be right there loyal with you the whole time,” said Norton earlier this month. Starting all 14 games for Seattle so far this season, Ford has 36 tackles, eight tackles for loss (T-6th in the NFL among interior defensive linemen entering Week 16), seven quarterback hits, two sacks and a forced fumble playing 58% of the defensive snaps. Poona Ford (97) speaks the media during Seattle Seahawks training camp in Renton, Wash. Monday, August 5, 2019. He’s not just clogging space as a run stuffer now. 6/13. During his senior season, Poona fielded offers from several of the nation's best football programs, including Ohio State, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Oregon, and Ole Miss. He noticed, too, how well Ford retained information. When Ford went undrafted in 2018, despite being the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior at Texas, Payne was there for his former star player. Video is courtesy of AthleteVault.com Hilton Head’s population has an incredible number of success stories to tell. Recent News. “His strength, with his hands and in the upper and lower body, combined with his quickness overwhelmed any offensive lineman he matched up with.”. He embodies all of those to me. ... — no defensive backs did more reps at the Combine this year — his speed was not since he was a track standout in high school … Welcome to Nation Ford High School! I’m still getting my feet wet and the game still isn’t second nature to me, but it will be soon. He says that Ray Lewis has “my generation’s passion for the game” and tries to model what Lewis brings to the game. Turnover Thursday - Poona Ford Fumble Recovery vs. San Francisco 49ers. “I think if you go through history, you look at the Cortez Kennedys, the Warren Sapps, the John Randalls of the world. I’m very proud to be associated with a small part of his success.”. Shaquem Griffin hasn’t returned from a bruised knee yet. Playing both nose and 3-tech, Ford has the positional versatility Seattle values. So it’s an important role, though not as glamorous as being an edge rusher or cornerback in the stat-padding department. Poona has demonstrated that he is a consistently strong player who has continued to improve his stats year after year. In his initial year in the NFL, he made the active roster and played 11 games. “He’s a smart player,” he says. “Warren Sapp, well, he’s just a freak show.” Asked if he could take anything from Sapp, he says it would be his strength. Self-described as “pretty smart” and with a lot of “strength,” Poona says it’s important to “always study the opponent and stay one step ahead.”, Last season was just the beginning for Poona, who finished the regular season with a grade of 90.3, which is high compared to other defensive tackles. As much as the Seahawks value Ford for his play, they also rave about his persona. Media in category "Poona Ford" The following 3 files are in this category, out of 3 total. 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