Four-star edge defender Kevin Ford is carefully considering his options as he enters his senior season. After showcasing his skills at the Under Armour All-America Game earlier this year, Ford has received 20 scholarship offers but is in no rush to make a decision. He plans to take his time, scheduling visits over the next few months to determine the best fit and avoid potential short-term transfers.
While his recruitment remains open-ended, recent reports indicate a strong lean toward the SEC. Ford has acknowledged that while all schools are still in consideration, programs like Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma have emerged as serious contenders. His upcoming visits further confirm this, with official trips planned for Alabama on May 30 and Oklahoma on June 20.
Though Ford has also expressed interest in schools like Florida, Colorado, Auburn, and USC—where he has a past connection due to his admiration for Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson—his primary focus seems to be within the SEC. With his standout junior season, which included 57 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, a safety, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery, Ford has become a highly sought-after talent.
As the recruiting battle heats up, Oklahoma and Alabama appear to be the frontrunners. Ford has visited Oklahoma multiple times and attended their Junior Day event, while the Sooners’ coaching staff recently made a personal visit to Texas. Alabama, on the other hand, extended an offer shortly after Ford shared photos with Oklahoma’s coaches. Whether he is intentionally creating competition between these two powerhouse programs or simply weighing his options, his decision-making process will be one to watch in the coming months.