New Mexico State University Athletics

Darryl Ford left an indelible mark on NM State football as one of the most feared defensive players in program history. A relentless force at linebacker, Ford earned All-Big West Conference First Team honors in 1988 after a standout senior season. He still holds the Aggie record for career tackles with an incredible 511 stops.
 
The Dallas, Texas, native led the Crimson and White in tackles in both 1985 and 1988 and ranks fourth all-time for single-season tackles with 164 in 1988. Ford's success extended beyond college, as he went on to be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys before getting picked up by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
 
In his second season in the CFL, he earned CFL All-Star honors after tallying a league-high 155 tackles to go along with three sacks and three interceptions. Eventually, Ford would play three seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. His professional career would conclude in 1996 after two more years in the CFL with the Memphis Mad Dogs and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.