By Matt Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford has been projected as a potential first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Following a sensational effort as a true freshman in 2014, Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford emerged as one of the countrys top playmakers on the perimeter with an exceptional sophomore campaign.

After hauling in 56 receptions in 2014, Ford followed that up by catching 75 passes and leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in receiving yards (1,164) and receiving touchdowns (11) last fall. He garnered first-team All-ACC honors following the conclusion of the regular season, and also entered his name into the Virginia Tech record book for most receptions in a season, most receiving yards in a season and most receiving touchdowns in a season.

Watching Fords film, it doesnt take long to see how he was able to break so many records and emerge as one of the nations top receivers in 2015. Though he is a little skinnier than his coaching staff would like, Ford has a very good frame with which to work at 6-2, 195 pounds.

Ford possesses very good, if not quite elite, top end speed and is extremely elusive in the open field. Though he sometimes has a habit of running horizontally too often when he has the football in his hands, he is a legitimate threat to take the football the distance every time he touches it.

But Fords best attribute as a receiver is one which too often gets overlooked by his sheer physical attributes, as he displays an understanding of route-running concepts that would likely make many NFL receivers envious. Ford has mastered the tricks of the trade in regards to finding ways to gain separation from defensive backs. He uses an expansive repertoire of hesitations, head fakes and quick cuts to frequently leave defenders in the dust. Many of his biggest plays from the 2015 season came on double-moves where he left secondary players completely turned around and confused.

Due to his overall playmaking abilities which he has been able to adequately display in just two short seasons, Ford is already being considered as a potential first round pick for the 2017 NFL Draft.

And given new Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuentes reputation for producing explosive offenses, there is no reason to believe that Ford will not be able to shatter ever more records before he does ultimately depart from Blacksburg.

Even though Ford was held out of spring practice, which did not allow Fuente to evaluate him firsthand, the Hokies new head man told member of the media that he did not have any concerns about Fords abilities as a player.

Rather, he was focused on how Ford would handle his new role as a veteran and a team leader on a team that has aspirations of contending for a Coastal Division crown.

Thus far, Fuente has nothing but rave reviews for how Ford has handled himself around his teammates.

x9cHe doesnt need a lot of coaching when it comes to helping guys out,x9d Fuente said. x9cHe is kind of naturally outgoing and like that. He might as well have had a whistle around his neck most of spring. Hes a sharp kid that picks it up quickly. He is not afraid to help those guys out.x9d

The Hokies continue to have plenty of questions during the lead up to the start of the 2016 campaign. Among the most notable concerns is an intense quarterback competition JUCO transfer Jerod Evans and fifth-year senior Brenden Motley at quarterback.

But even so, new offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen will have one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football at his disposal, which should make his life significantly easier.

Ford has already proven to be amongst the ACCs elite when it comes to catching the football. And with an even more wide open style of play than we are used to seeing out of the Hokies, he could be primed to post video game-like numbers against ACC defenses this fall.