Jonathan Ford has spent his football career in South Florida. Now he’s heading to the frozen tundra.

The Green Bay Packers selected the Dillard High alumnus and former Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman in the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday, using the 234th pick.

If there had been no UM players picked in the 260-selection draft, it would have marked the first Coral Gables shutout since 1974.

“I’m just proud of going through this whole process, this journey,” Ford said at UM’s Pro Day. “As a kid growing up, a lot of people don’t get this chance just to be able to go to the combine and come to Pro Day and showcase your talent with your brothers for one last time.”

Ford also did 24 bench-press reps during the Hurricanes’ Pro Day. He said at Miami’s Pro Day that he was 6-5 and 338 pounds.

“Teams just love my size, teams love the way I move,” Ford said. “A lot of teams tell me my power and everything is there. One thing I like about myself is also my movement and everything, just me being agile as a big guy.”

Ford had a solid career at Miami. He played in 50 games and made 31 starts with the Hurricanes over five years, racking up 60 total tackles with eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Last season, he had 14 total tackles and one tackle for loss in 10 games.

If Ford earns a spot on the roster, he will be the 22nd Dillard alum to play in the NFL.

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