DeMoreoFord

Hopes to return to practice in August after missing most of spring practice because of injury … His experience is needed following the departure of NFL draftees Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson … Has a reputation as a ferocious blocker … A change in NCAA eligibility rules has enabled his 2005 season to be a medical hardship year … Most memorable play as a Wildcat was the turning point of the 2006 Music City Bowl, a career-long 70-yard reception for a touchdown … Has nabbed 20 career receptions for 236 yards … Appeared in 30 games, earning five starting nods.

2007 (Sophomore): Played in all 13 games, including a start in the Music City Bowl … Made seven catches for 47 yards … Set a career high with four receptions against Mississippi State.

2006 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 13 games and registered a start in four contests … Made a huge play in the Music City Bowl win over Clemson … Following UK’s conversion of a fake punt deep in Wildcat territory, he caught a bomb from Andre’ Woodson and raced for a 70-yard touchdown … Finished the season with 11 receptions for 179 yards and two TDs … Got first career TD vs. Vanderbilt on a 27-yard catch.

2005 (Freshman): Played in the first four games before missing the remainder of the campaign because of a knee injury … Caught two passes for 10 yards … A change in NCAA eligibility rules has enabled this to be a medical hardship season.

High School: First-team all-state as a junior and senior by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Georgia sportswriters, and the Georgia coaches’ association … Four-year letterman and two-year starter at wide receiver and cornerback at LaGrange (Ga.) HS … Caught 47 passes for 619 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Had 23 punt returns for 519 yards, 22.6 yards per return, and two touchdowns … Also averaged 35.6 yards on kickoff returns … Has been part of the LaGrange juggernaut that won Class AAA state championships during his freshman, junior, and senior seasons, compiled a four-year record of 55-2, and has a current winning streak of 29 games … Career stats feature 80 receptions, 1,156 yards, and 17 touchdowns as a wide receiver; three interceptions on defense; a 15.3-yard average and three TDs on punt returns; and a 24.6-yard average on kickoff returns … Played for the winning South team in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game … Coached by Steve Pardue … “DeMoreo has been our biggest offensive threat the last two years,” Pardue said. “He’s a playmaker. In both of the state championship games he had catches for the first touchdown of the game. I see him doing that in college.” … High school teammate of current Wildcat Braxton Kelley … Rejoined former LaGrange teammate Wesley Woodyard at UK … Three-year letterman in track, competing in the 400-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay … Also recruited by South Carolina, Auburn, and Mississippi State in addition to Kentucky.

Personal: Born in LaGrange, Ga. … Son of Tronsa Harris and Kerry Ford … Nephew of Quentin McCord, who is a former LaGrange star, one of the top wide receivers in University of Kentucky history, and played with the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions in the NFL … Cousin of Walt Harris of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers … Major is family and consumer sciences.

Community Cats: Worked at a youth football clinic (2005) … Served as a mentor at Johnson Elementary School (2006) … Participated in the Skeeter Johnson Walk for Life (2007) … Also participated in events with the Boy Scouts and UK Children’s Hospital (2008).

Ford Career StatisticsYearPositionG-GSRec.Yds.Avg.TDLong2005Wide Rec.4-02105.0062006Wide Rec.13-41117916.32702007Wide Rec.13-17476.7011Totals30-52023611.8270