Kentucky’s offensive line added a significant piece a few days ago with a commitment from former USC offensive tackle transfer Courtland Ford. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound lineman played left tackle with the Trojans, for whom he appeared in 20 games with 12 starts.
Ford started one game as a true freshman at left guard in 2020. He then started eight games at left tackle in 2021. Ford started three times at left tackle in 2022, including the season opener and the Cotton Bowl against Tulane.
Heading into the 2022 college football season, Ford was actually projected as a first-round NFL draft pick by CBS Sports. Unfortunately, after two starts at left tackle, Ford suffered a bad ankle injury in Week 2, then later came down with mono and was effectively knocked out for the rest of the season.
Ford is betting that with better health, he can become an elite offensive lineman this season. It’s more than that, however. Ford could have decided to make a name for himself at USC. He clearly wanted a change of scenery and a chance to prove himself in a different situation, a very natural thing to want to do. This is something plenty of players are doing in the liberalized era of the transfer portal and the freedom of player movement it has brought to college football.
Ford wants the challenge of going up against the Georgia defensive line and other top-tier defensive lines in the SEC. We hope it works out well for Ford. He just might knock an SEC team out of the playoff and save a spot for the Men of Troy!
Courtland Ford: USC tackle commits to Kentucky https://t.co/RqWaDG4zW4 pic.twitter.com/ufuEMznZTK
— Unscrambled (@borowest) April 28, 2023
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