CFL: Blue Bombers defenseman Tyrell Ford focused on Winnipeg returning to Gray Cup

VANCOUVER-

Jordan Younger immediately knew that Tyrell Ford was a special talent.

He noticed the Canadian defense making its debut at the CFL combine in 2022 and was impressed.

“I could see from the way he moved, some of the decisions he made, he had physical ability. But he also knew how to play the position,” said Younger, the Winnipeg defensive coordinator. Blue Bombers. “I thought if he was humble enough to take some lessons and stuff, he could be a really effective player.”

The Bombers selected Ford 13th overall in the 2022 draft and he has since developed into a key player for Winnipeg.

The 26-year-old cornerback from Niagara Falls, Ont., will play in the Gray Cup on Sunday when his team will face the Toronto Argonauts at BC Place.

The journey to the CFL championship has not been linear for Ford.

He started 12 games with the Bombers in 2022, making three defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles, then signed a futures contract with the Green Bay Packers in January 2023 and was released by the NFL team that August.

Ford re-signed with Winnipeg for the 2024 season and headed into Bombers training camp with something to prove.

“I definitely came in with a bit of a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I felt like I needed to play more in 2022. But obviously I didn’t. So it was nice to get the chance to go out there and prove it. And I think I did that.”

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound University of Waterloo product started all 18 games for the Bombers this season, recording 51 defensive tackles and four special teams tackles. He also made seven tackles — the second-most in the league behind Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Rolan Milligan Jr., who was named the CFL’s defensive player of the year on Thursday.

“I feel like I had a normal season,” Ford said. “I feel like I’ve missed a few tackles, so it’s a little bit tough and I’ve definitely missed a few tackles. But I feel like I haven’t really made any coverage or done anything too bad. I need to work on the trick plays. Okay, but I think I’ve had a pretty good season and hopefully every “I’ll be better next year.”

Younger said Ford brought “a different level of maturity” to the Bombers this season.

“I remember him coming out tough in the first game of the year and not really shying away,” he said. “He came back and realized, ‘Okay, these are the things I did well, these are the things I didn’t do well.’ And he had to work on the things he didn’t do well, and that’s what he did every game.

The defensive coordinator added that he fits into Winnipeg’s system because of the way he looks at the game and the way he talks to his teammates.

“To be able to play in our system, you have to have vision. You have to be able to look at the game and see what’s going on in front of you and then process the information very quickly,” he said. “So he’s got really good eyes and he’s a good communicator in terms of being able to listen and communicate. So those qualities are necessary to play on this defense.”

Winnipeg had one of the best defensive units in the CFL this season and had the fewest points (366) of any team in regular season games.

The Bombers started slowly, losing their first four games and going 2-6 on the season. The team then went on an eight-game winning streak, placing them atop the West Division and finishing with an 11-7 record.

“I always knew we could play really good football. We were a little sloppy at the beginning of the season,” Ford said. “So we’re just playing cleaner football, performing at a higher level and playing for each other.”

In preparation for this season, Ford worked on his foot speed, running the 40-yard dash almost every day and playing receiver alongside his twin, Tre Ford, who is the quarterback for the Edmonton Elks.

It was very special for the brothers to play in the same league.

“It’s nice to have someone who understands and knows what this is all about and how it happens. There’s definitely a good support system there and for him,” Tyrell Ford said.

The two talk almost every night while playing video games together. When they’re not playing games, they chat on the phone every few days

“He’s my twin brother, so we’re almost like the same person,” Tyrell Ford said. “It’s very nice and makes football fun.”

Ford said the Blue Bombers defense has also had a lot of fun playing football in recent weeks.

“We had a lot of energy,” he said. “It feels like you’re kids playing football again.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.