OHS Standout Maps Future

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Opelousas High senior running back D’Shaun Ford placed his career ambitions before a national spotlight last weekend as he announced his overall college football plan – beginning at least in 2025.

Ford, a 225-pound career and single-season rushing leader at Opelousas High, seized his opportunity during the annual High School All-America game last weekend and declared postgame that he plans to sign next month at Louisiana-Monroe.

However that’s only the beginning, Ford indicated.

ULM, Ford has indicated to multiple sources including 24/7 Sports, represents an opportunity for him to play during his freshman season.

The collegiate path strategy following 2025, might become more interesting for Ford, who has said that he intends to enter the recruiting portal this December, following his introductory season in Monroe.

Ford said during the All-American contest that he seeks to build a career model based on Ahmad Henry, a 2024 freshman ULM running back who gained 1,351 rushing yards last season before announcing that he is transferring to Missouri, via the recruiting portal.

In February Ford should make his decision official during the annual college signing football day.

From 2022-24, Ford reportedly has had 22 college football offers, nearly all of them with Division 1 programs.

Ford was also pursued by ULM starting in April of 2024, in addition to receiving offers and interest from Missouri, Tulane, Central Florida, Memphis, Minnesota, Miami, Penn State, Florida State and Charlotte.

In addition Ford was also offered by SEC programs such as LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Nicholls State and Grambling were in-state schools that offered Ford scholarships, according to reports.

OHS head football coach Jimmy Zachery, Jr., feels that Ford, who reportedly squats 605-pounds in the weightroom, is well suited as a back who can gain the difficult yards inside the tackles.

“(Ford) can run that alley as well as anybody that I’ve seen,” Zachery has said.