Tag: Courtland Ford

Courtland Ford is betting big on himself with transfer to Kentucky

Courtland Ford in the SEC will be fascinating to watch.

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!

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Offensive lineman Courtland Ford will transfer from USC

This isn’t a devastating blow, but it does erode #USC’s O-line depth, and is therefore an unwelcome development.

Right before USC’s spring game, a notable development has emerged on the Trojans’ offensive line. Courtland Ford, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle, will enter the transfer portal.

The former four-star senior lineman started 12 games and played in eight other games during his three-year career with the Trojans.

The Trojans absorb a blow to the offensive line for the 2023 season with the transfer, though the Trojans have done well to stockpile depth this offseason.

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.

Ford was injured early in the 2022 season, and he struggled to crack the lineup after that point in time. The fact that he didn’t make a massive impact on the line last year, however, doesn’t mean his departure is a minor development. USC was counting on having quality depth at all five offensive line positions this year, and now the depth equation is not as favorable as it previously was.

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