Throughout the entire recruiting process, offensive lineman Phil Ford has been one of the more visible KU recruits. Not only because of his 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame, but also because he’s hit the recruiting trail hard to entice others to join him at Kansas. Today, the Bishop Miege High product talks about his own goals for 2011 and sheds some light on the many talents of his future teammates.

Funhawk

What attracted you to become a Jayhawk and what would you like to major in?

dagger108

In reading the (year old?) recruiting info for Phil, there seemed to be some negatives relative to his 345 being sloppy and not solid. There were also some comments on another blog (RCT) about KU not making him an offer until he met some conditioning goals.
Any truth to conditioning incentives, and how is his conditioning coming in prep for joining the ‘hawks?
Has he talked to Darrian and Dylan about life on the Hill and what they’re doing with the team to get ready for next season?

kufb06

Do you think you will play your first year?

dallashawk05

What are your thoughts on coming to a school that is known for basketball, and for having a fickle football fan base?

swunruhawk

Isn’t Kansas an easier sell to recruits now that the football program has all of the upgraded facilities? This has to impress recruits…?

KU7679

How much did KU’s disappointing season affect recruiting. I assume everyone wants to play for a winner.

How are you keeping in touch with your fellow signees? Phone, Facebook, etc.

hirschtodd

First, Congrats on officially being a Jayhawk! You have obviously worked hard to get to this point. What do you envision your freshman year being like both football wise and as a student?

bayareajhawk

Can’t wait to see you on the field, Phil! The offensive line had a tough time this year. You are one of several recruits coming to bolster that position. Do you think we will see a freshman or two starting or getting a lot of playing time on the line next year? Do you think some of you guys might get redshirted? Good luck in your career and congratulations on joining the Jayhawk family.

AlBerg

Which player are you most excited to play with?

Hawkman021

Hate to bring this up but after the year KU had last year (that the part I hate bringing up) what was it about the KU program that made you say I want to play there and get them to the next level, (besides the close to home) over Minnesota which offered, and OU? Thanks for picking KU can’t wait till Saturdays in the fall ROCK CHALK!!!

hawks1fan

as a ku fan i would love to see the jayhawks compete for a big 12 title what do we need to do to improve our offensive line

admireed

Phil, how many four year colleges contacted you regarding football?

sdoyel

How important was it to you during the recruiting process to attend a University so close to your home? Furthermore, how excited are you to play for Coach Turner Gill?

Welcome to the family! Rock Chalk!

Altercations_with_a_shovel

What about the coaching staff made you buy into the program so much?

jhawk613

Are there any fellow recruits that you personally convinced to join you at KU?

jsatt3

what were your 1st thoughts on how coach gill recruited you?

johnnyphoton

Phil, congratulations and thanks for choosing KU! Do you feel the “it” factor exists with this coaching staff and this recruiting class? Do you feel like this is the beginning of something special for the University of Kansas?

bananarepublic

Mr. Ford, I was wondering if you had an opinion on who has the best NFL uniforms. I’m a Chiefs fan but I feel they have awful unis.

three2b

What are the goals of this 2011 recruiting class for the next 4 years?

wiseapple

What was it like making pitches to friends and teammates/fellow players to come join you at KU? Who did you target and what was your approach?

jhawkrulz

There are a lot of KU Football Fans who are nervous about Head Coach Turner Gill after his first year as the Head Coach of the Jayhawks. No one underestimates an incredible recruiting class from HCTG this year (probably one of the best ever). What is it that is selling recruits to come to KU?

dgspurgin

Lots of people spout lots of hooie about how KU will always be a football school first. Do you believe that KU can be a national power in football too? Do you believe there is no reason KU can’t be BOTH a bball school AND a football school. p.s. I DO!

dgspurgin

You and lots of guys you know have been given “star” ratings. From your perspective how accurate are they? Are they WAY off typically or mostly just a little off?

dgspurgin

Have you heard much talk about o line recruits being moved to the defensive side of the ball?

100

Who would win in a race?

1. Tandre Bakre
2. Bo Jackson
3. A laser

walshdollar

Who do you feel KU’s biggest rival is. K-State or Mizzou?

wmathews

Thanks again for your time, Phil. We’ll see you in the fall!

Moderator

Hi everyone. I’d like to welcome Phil Ford, offensive lineman from Bishop Miege, who signed with KU football early Wednesday morning. Welcome, Phil!

Phil Ford

Hello to everyone, thank you for having me!

clevelandjayhawker

What “sold” you on coming to KU? and what made KU your ultimate choice

Phil Ford

the coaching staff, and the welcoming environment, being able to stay close to my family and friends. It just felt right when i walked onto campus i know i will get the best education. I love the vibe i get from the stuff and students.

panalytic

You may be getting ready to leave home and live independently for the first time. What are you looking forward to the most about living away from home? Also, what are most concerned about in regards to living away from home?

Phil Ford

i am going to like living with a teammate so we can always talk football, and sports, and we will have a lot in common. I wont have to have my mom drive me everywhere. The concerns are that my mom will miss me and call me all the time.

georgeJhawk

What do you see as the biggest asset of this recruiting class? By the time this class is upperclassmen, what would b?e your goal for KU Football (what would it take to meet your expectations?)

Phil Ford

We are all close we all have things in common, so it is easy to talk to everybody so that it will be easy to talk to the other players on the field. By the time we are upperclassmen we would love to be the big 12 champs and have a national championship. Trust is everything and i know i can trust my friends on the field and off and i trust all the coaches.

Moderator

You’re a big guy, but from what we see on your film it looks like you’re pretty light on your feet. How hard is it to be so big and still move so well and what kinds of things have you done to help with that?

Phil Ford

its not very hard at all really, my coaches always say to think thin, so that is what i do! I work out with a personal trainer since junior year to get me ready to take on some of the guys that are as light on their feet. But i know it will only take even more hard work to maintain my quickness.

boomer1110

How has having ex Chiefs center Tim Gruhard as your coach helped prepare you for the “next level?”

Phil Ford

Mr. Grunhard has taught me a lot on and off the field, he is a great man, he has shown me the importance of being a honest man. So i know if i follow all the things he has taught me i will be great in college, with his advice i can reach all my goals and reach all of my dreams.

bmon25

What do you feel will be toughest transition from high school football to Division 1 Big 12 college football?

Phil Ford

the speed and the size of the game because in highschool i was like the biggest kid out their and that wont always be the case in college! and its going to be tough not playing on friday nights.

Moderator

I know one of your best friends, Shane Ray, is going to Missouri. Has it been hard to have a teammate and close friend get set to sign with KU’s biggest rival?

Phil Ford

haha yes and no really because i will love shane ray forever his like a brother to me know,no matter what, no matter how many battles we are going to have i will be his friends and we are friends forever! we are going to love going up against each other. hes my bff 4 life

cusack118

Since so many of the new recruiting class fits so well in Coach Gill’s system, do you think this means fewer redshirts and more playing time for younger players than usual next year?

Phil Ford

yes sir 🙂 i feel that way very strongly. we have an awesome class one of the best in nation! and i promise you we are going to do great things in Lawrence!

AtlJaybird

Did last years struggles and 3-9 season ever cause you to second-guess your commitment to KU? What did the KU coaching staff say to reassure you that you made the right decision?

Phil Ford

NO SIR, never that i was and am a jayhawk forever. i was committed to ku and i knew we were and are going to take over the big 12! they told me to keep my head up and stay with the guys! but i had always knew in my heart that i was born and raised to be a jayhawk! my best libby kieffer wants me to be a jayhawk and i promised her that i would from the bottom of my heart

jayhawkzac

Which recruits are you the best friends with?

Phil Ford

dmiller, hes like a brother to me now! and dylan admir, jason h, and a lot of them 🙂 really all of them, were not just friends we are a family and family stays together forever! i will always have their backs

Moderator

What do you remember about the first time you met/talked with coach Gill?

Phil Ford

i remember me having the biggest smile on my face ever 🙂 it was such an honor to be meeting him and now even more so since he is going to be my coach.

RCJhawks

what type of offenses have you played in? spread, pro style, option? Do you prefer run blocking or pass blocking?

Phil Ford

i have played in pro style offenses!! i love to run and pass block but run block is the best! i like puttin people on the ground

daverclear

you have played with some talented players at bishop miege. who was the most talented teammate you’ve had?

Phil Ford

Justin mccay- OU sooner! and i cant wait until they come into town this fall and we get to play them! thats my boy but i wanna beat OU pretty bad

shnops40

Is there any specific trait/characteristic that stands out to you about Turner Gill and this coaching staff?

Phil Ford

he is a really nice guy, and all the other coaches are really nice and helpful they don’t make you feel like a player they make you feel like a friend and you are able to come to them for anything they are there for you first and football second.

jayhawk_LCDR

When you and the other recruits asked the coaches or current players about last years struggles, what did they say that made you believe KU is ready to come back and what are the expectations for this team for this upcoming season?

Phil Ford

they said just keep the faith and believe in each other and trust that we will get the job done which we will! i want to win the big 12 title and a national title, i know those are very hard goals but anything is possible! just takes hard work!

Moderator

In another seven months, you’ll be a college football player. Are you for or against a playoff in college football and why or why not?

Phil Ford

im against the playoffs in college football, i like the way it is now, it has been that way for years so it should not change now.

Moderator

OK, everyone. This will be our last question for Phil.

jhawk613

what style of quarterback do you prefer protecting? a mobile, qb that is unpredictable or a pocket passer?

Phil Ford

i love blocking for a pocket passer, that’s what i did in high school, and i loved it, i want my qb to know that he is safe and i have his back. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!! Thank you everyone for asking me these question i love that so many people know who i am, so once again thank you to everyone have a blessed night!

Moderator

Thanks again for your time, Phil. We’ll see you in the fall!

Phil Ford

looking forward to it, Everyone come see us the jayhwks are going to WIN!!!!!