Higgins develops into mainstay for Midshipmen on O-line
Ford Higgins is an old-school football player in terms of attitude and mentality. Ask Higgins how he learned to play so hard and he’ll look as though you just asked the dumbest question.
“I don’t know how you play the game of football any other way,” Higgins said. “You give yourself the best chance of succeeding on the field if you play as hard as you can on every play. I think that’s how the game should be played.”
Higgins is the smallest member of Navy’s starting offensive line, but routinely grades out the highest because he plays with so much effort. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound center goes against much bigger defensive tackles every game and regularly wins his matchup.
“Ford is a really good football player, and what probably sets him apart is his mentality,” Navy running game coordinator Ashley Ingram said. “Ford goes 1,000 miles an hour all the time. He plays really hard and is very aggressive.”
Navy has more depth along the offensive line this season than it has in a long time. Ingram has been taking advantage of that by substituting liberally at the two guard and tackle spots. Higgins, on the other hand, rarely comes out of the game.
“We’ve been rolling guys at guard and tackle, but not at center. Ford has basically played all the snaps andheplaysharderthan anyone on the field. I think that says it all about him,” Ingram said.
Higgins logged upwards of 80 plays against Memphis and has not taken more than two or three plays off in any game this season. The Georgia native doesn’t even understand why that is a big deal.
“I want to be out there. I feel it’s my responsibility to be out there,” he said. “I go hard on every play because I don’t want them to think I’m tired and take me out of the game.”
Higgins was a backup tackle as a sophomore last season, seeing significant action in relief of starters Jake Hawk and Andrew Wood. After making his first career start against Central Florida, Higgins suffered a broken ankle that sidelined him for the final two games of 2017.
Ingram’s instincts told him Higgins would make an outstanding center so he had the youngster practice snapping the football every day before practice last year. That move became official during the Saturday, 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network Radio: 1090 AM Line: Houston by 111⁄ offseason with Higgins tabbed to replace Parker Wade as the starting center.
Higgins had never played center at any level of football and admits the transition from tackle was not easy. That’s because his natural instinct is to explode off the football and get into the defensive lineman.
“Obviously, the coaching staff needed me to play center so I worked really hard to make sure I could succeed and excel,” he said. “I did struggle at first with being able to snap then step and block the right guy. I think I was so anxious to hit the guy in front of me that I forgot about snapping the ball. Thankfully, the coaches didn’t give up on me. With a lot of practice I was able to get it down.”
Ingram acknowledges he was not sure how Higgins would hold up when covered by a nose guard when going against an odd front. The260-pounder has already alleviated those concerns.
“Our question was how Ford would do against these 300-pound nose guards. He’s lined upagainst Temple, Air Force and more than held his own,” Ingram said.
ThispastSaturday, Higginsfoundhimself facing Temple 330-pounder Freddie BoothLloyd. Against Memphis, Higgins was shaded by 300-pound O’Bryan Goodson.
“I love the challenge of taking on a nose guard. That motivates me. They’re human. They’re not a robot or some freak physical specimen. When I’m out on that field, I think I’m just as big and powerful as they are,” Higgins said. “If you go in there thinking abouthowbigtheyareandthatyou might have trouble you’re already losing.”
Over the past two seasons Higgins has heard several defensive linemen scoff at his size and brag about tossing him around all game.
“There are a lot of players who will laugh at you and call you small out there. That happened last Saturday. It just gets me mad and motivates me,” Higgins said. “I like the challenge of blocking whoever they put in front of me. I don’t care if it’s the biggest guy on the team. If you do block them well on a play you let them know.”