Ford awaits next offer

There's been a bit of a lull in Dalton Ford's recruitment. The interest hasn't faded. That's omnipresent. More tangible things, however, have been in short supply.

His first scholaship offer, an invite from Illinois, rolled in nearly two months ago, and the quest for offer No. 2 is ongoing. But according to the Webb City (Mo.) High School tackle, the wait may not be long now.

"I'm not really sure about my next offer," Ford said. "Right now, Oregon's O-line coaches are messaging me every day and talking to me on Facebook. I talk to coaches from Minnesota. Missouri seems interested. All these schools want me at camp to see me and analyze."

For now, however, name is perfectly content to discuss his offer from the Illini. He visited campus for the schools' junior day somewhat recently and had the chance to take in a few aspects of student-athlete life.

It's early in the process, sure, but Ford certainly liked what he saw. So if first impressions matter for anything …

"I did an overnight preview on a Friday night and did the junior day on Saturday," Ford said. "That was two weekends ago. I liked it a lot. I stayed with a O-lineman, We just hung out Friday night and walked around campus. Then Saturday, we went to spring practice and did the junior day stuff. I like it. It's a nice place."

Ford has also recently visited Missouri and Kansas State, each of which is yet to offer. And once college camp season hits, he'll likely make return visits.

"Coaches at Missouri really want me at their camp, so I'm going to try to do that one," Ford said. "That's goanna be my big one. Other than that, I might try to hit K-State's camp and Oklahoma State's camp."

As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Ford helped lead Webb City to a 14-1 record and a Missouri state championship.