The upcoming 2026 season is the start of a NEW ERA for SDSU. Sons of Montezuma is putting into focus our top San Diego State football players for you to know heading into the PAC 12 era.
- Name: Jackson Ford
- Position: Tight End
- Class: Junior
- Height/Weight: 6’6″, 250 lbs
- Hometown: Melissa, Texas
- Previous School: Tulsa (2024)
Initially committing to Oregon as a recruit, The Lone Star native flipped his commitment to Tulsa where he spent his freshman season. Appearing in nine games opting to not redshirt, he saw limited action recording zero stats warranting a transfer out of the program.
Ford then decided to turn back to the ones who wanted his talents from the get-go when he transferred to San Diego State, the team that offered him during his junior year of high school.
Ford, in his sophomore season, recorded 10 catches for 86 yards (8.6 AVG) and a single touchdown that came against North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl.
The numbers he put up stood as the most productive Aztec tight end on the roster, despite his name beneath senior Seth Adams in the depth chart. A definite sign of the pass catching ability we may see more of in 2026.
Now looking ahead to the upcoming season, the depth at the skill positions is shaping up to be the deepest in quite some time.
San Diego natives Lucky Sutton and Christian Washington are all-conference rushing threats. Wideouts return upperclassmen in Nathan Acevedo, Donovan Brown, Jacob Bostick and Jordan Napier. All the while adding Oregon transfer, Justius Lowe.
Opposing defenses will have their worries set on stopping the running backs and receivers, therefore it could allow for the projected starting tight end to be unleashed in 2026, Jackson Ford.
Other factors and variables must be taken into consideration as to how head coach Sean Lewis plans to use the tight ends and perhaps the passing game as a whole in the new season.
Last year Ford and the rest of the tight end room caught a combined 15 receptions. Despite operating generally out of 11 and sometimes 21 personnel.
The run-heavy offense was likely a product of QB Jayden Denegal playing through most of the season with a torn left labrum and RB Lucky Sutton rushing for 1,297 yards. This meant that Ford and the other tight ends often served as extra offensive linemen and a last receiver in the progression of passing routes.
What we do know for sure is that Ford is going to be an excellent blocker for Sutton along with the rest of the running back room and he will be expected to be a leader as he is the oldest in the Aztec tight end room.
With a healthy quarterback paired with opposing coverage attracted to the tailbacks and wideouts, I hope to see more targets to the tight end position and particularly to Ford. His 6’6″ frame is ideal for winning 1 on 1 matchups near the goal line for pass catching touchdowns.
If Ford can prove himself athletic enough to outrace his defender or pick up the defensive coverages enough to find sweet spots in the zone, he could be an asset in the open field passing game.
Projected to be ‘TE1’, Aztec fans keep your eyes on No. 15 Jackson Ford in 2026.
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