Boise State receiver Ben Ford returns to practice after third ACL injury

Ben Ford recently achieved a major milestone in his recovery from a third ACL injury in six years.

Ford, a sixth-year senior from Idaho’s Eagle High School, returned to the practice field this week. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound Ford is on track to be in the lineup for Boise State’s Week 1 matchup with No. 2 Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 5.

On Thursday, Ford was named to the Comeback Player of the Year watch list, which is jointly presented by the College Sports Communicators, the Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl. The award is given annually to a college football player who overcomes injury, illness or other circumstances.

The new Pac-12 has three representatives on the 94-man watch list: Colorado State tight end Pearce Spurlin III, Oregon State defensive back Noble Thomas Jr. and Ford.

Ford takes another step in remarkable comeback

Ford appeared in seven games with five starts last season and caught 21 passes for 325 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. Ford tore his left ACL in an Oct. 18 victory over UNLV and missed the remainder of the year as Boise State went on to capture a third straight Mountain West title.

A high school quarterback, Ford tore his right ACL during his junior season at Eagle in 2019. He returned better than ever and won Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior, running for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns with 14 passing touchdowns.

Ford, Idaho’s No. 2 class of 2021 prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings, signed with the Broncos over reported offers from Army and Idaho.

After redshirting in 2021, Ford suffered a left ACL injury in practice two games into the 2022 season. He missed all of the following year and appeared in 11 games during the Broncos’ College Football Playoff run in 2024.

A veteran presence in a young receiver room

Ford enters his final college season with 25 career receptions for 359 yards and five touchdowns. He is fighting for a starting role in a crowded Boise State wide receiver room that appears to be much improved from a year ago.

“It’s a younger room where there’s not a bunch of returning starters in regards to yards and catches, but I love where our receivers are heading to,” head coach Spencer Danielson said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “They’re doing a really good job in practice, but a lot of these guys have not done it in a game yet. Cam Bates has, but not a ton, though. Ben Ford is our most veteran receiver; he’s still not quite there yet. Darren Morris has played a lot of football, but not at Boise State. I’m excited where they’re heading to, but until we do it in a game, I can’t say that I can stand on that table yet (and say I feel great about the room).”

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