Troy Ford – Syndication Server

4-star LB on Clemson: ‘That’s a very special place’

After helping Calvary Day School (Savannah, Ga.) improve its undefeated record to 12-0 with a win over Wesleyan (Norcross, Ga.) in the second round of the Class A Private state football playoffs this past Friday night, four-star linebacker Troy Ford …

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior in the 2023 class made the trip to Tiger Town with 2023 defensive lineman Terry Simmons and 2024 quarterback Jake Merklinger.

It marked the second unofficial visit to Clemson this season for Ford, who was also in Death Valley for the Tigers’ win over South Carolina State on Sept. 11.

“It was amazing as always,” Ford said of the latest visit on Saturday. “I really felt close with the coaches. We bonded. Also my teammates, they had a really good time, too.”

Ford spent plenty of time during the visit with Clemson assistant coach Todd Bates, and after the Tigers’ 48-27 victory over the Demon Deacons, Ford was able to speak with defensive coordinator Brent Venables and head man Dabo Swinney.

“They liked how I played and glad that I was able to come up there,” Ford said. “Coach Venables said he would like to try to make one of my games. Since we’re deep in playoffs now, he said he would like to come watch us, and I’m very excited about that.”

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School 2023 4-star LB Troy Ford Jr. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

Venables expressing interest in watching Ford play means a great deal to the standout prospect.

“It means everything because I’ve been working very hard to get an offer from there,” he said. “So, just knowing that they’re interested in me makes me want to work harder.”

In addition to Clemson, Ford has been to games at South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, Notre Dame and UCF this season. He is slated to return to Columbia for the Gamecocks’ rivalry showdown against the Tigers this Saturday.

Ford holds offers from South Carolina, Auburn, Notre Dame, UCF, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Missouri and Indiana.

Right now, Ford is more focused on finishing his junior season strong rather than the recruiting process. But he has a timeline in mind for when he wants to begin cutting down his recruitment.

“Definitely sometime after the season ends,” he said. “As of right now, I just want to focus on the season right now, focus on me and my teammates. But then after the season, I’m going to start narrowing it down, top couple of schools, and should come out with that pretty soon.”

Where does Clemson stand with Ford at this point in the process following his latest visit to campus last weekend?

“They’re very high on my board,” he said. “That’s a very special place, and I really love the environment there. So, I’m working very hard to get an offer from there.”

Ford, who has played both outside linebacker and defensive end for Calvary Day this season, is credited with 44 total tackles, 12 for loss and four sacks in 12 games this season.

Most schools, including Clemson, are recruiting him as a linebacker.

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The Insider Report: Plenty of Visit Updates

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report. Which prospect who was the son of an NFL player was blown away with his visit to Death Valley? What is the latest on some offensive …

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report.

Which prospect who was the son of an NFL player was blown away with his visit to Death Valley? What is the latest on some offensive line prospects that visited for Wake? When is Will Taylor expected to be ready to play baseball this spring? All of this and more in this week’s edition of The Insider Report.

If you are not already a Clemson Insider register today for Free and enjoy all of the Insider information on TheClemsonInsider.com.

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4-star Georgia defender gives the latest with Clemson, recruitment

The Clemson Insider checked back in with this standout Peach State defender to get the latest on his recruitment, what he’s been hearing from Clemson of late and more. Calvary Day School (Savannah, Ga.) defensive end/linebacker Troy Ford Jr., a …

The Clemson Insider checked back in with this standout Peach State defender to get the latest on his recruitment, what he’s been hearing from Clemson of late and more.

Calvary Day School (Savannah, Ga.) defensive end/linebacker Troy Ford Jr., a four-star class of 2023 prospect, remains in contact with defensive coordinator Brent Venables and the Tigers.

“I talked to him by text last Thursday,” Ford said earlier this week, “but we don’t talk all the time, maybe once a week. But they sent me a (recruiting) graphic tonight as well, so hopefully that’s a good sign.”

What is Venables’ message to the 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior right now?

“He just tells me to keep up the good work and be patient,” Ford said.

Ford hopes to eventually add Clemson to his offer list that includes Notre Dame, Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Indiana and UCF.

Some of those schools are sticking out to Ford, who has a timeline in mind for when he wants to cut down his recruitment and then render his commitment.

“I plan on narrowing it down on New Year’s and making my decision either at the end of my junior year or right after the summer,” he said. “Right now, South Carolina, Auburn, Notre Dame, Tennessee really stand out to me. They have no doubts about what I can do, and we talk often. I plan on going to the other schools that have offered me in the next few weeks, so I will know more then. So, it’s hard to say right now.”

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School’s Troy Ford Jr. before the Tigers’ game against S.C. State Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

Ford camped at Clemson this past summer and visited Death Valley for the Tigers’ game vs. South Carolina State on Sept. 11. He has also been to Georgia, South Carolina, Auburn and Tennessee so far this season.

Clemson invited Ford back to campus for next weekend’s game against Florida State, but he won’t be able to attend as he is scheduled to visit Notre Dame for its clash with North Carolina.

“Trying to get back up there soon,” he said of Clemson, “but it may be in November because my mom is making me go check out other schools that have offered me. They invited me back on the 30th but I can’t make that one.”

Ford has played some on the D-line for Calvary Day during his junior campaign, though most schools, including Clemson, are courting him as a linebacker – the position he would prefer to play at the next level.

After breaking his hand during a preseason practice and having surgery to get screws put in it, Ford is fully recovered from the injury and has returned to being a versatile defender for his team.

“It’s great,” he said of how his hand is doing. “Completely healed and so glad to be out of that cast. Finally back to playing multiple positions.”

Ford has tallied 31 tackles, including 11 for loss and four sacks, this season according to MaxPreps.

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Peach State standout ‘very, very honored’ to hear from Clemson

Clemson is among the dozen-plus schools that have reached out to this standout Peach State defender since Sept. 1, when college football coaches could begin directly contacting prospects in the class of 2023 via text messages and direct messages on …

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star linebacker Troy Ford, Jr., estimates that coaches from around 15 schools have reached out to him since the clock struck midnight on Sept. 1, including Clemson.

“It’s really been a blessing,” Ford told The Clemson Insider. “I really didn’t expect to have as much attention as I did. … I didn’t expect as many coaches, and especially Clemson, I didn’t expect them to [reach out] and invite me to come to a game. I was very, very honored by that.”

Ford, who said he “definitely” plans to visit Clemson for a game this season, was contacted by defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables.

“I heard from Coach Venables, and he sent me something on Twitter and on iMessage about what they’re about,” Ford said, “and he told me I needed to try to stay humble as much as I can and all that, and good news will come in the future.”

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School LB Troy Ford at the Dabo Swinney Camp in June

Ford (6-2, 235) has developed a solid rapport with Venables, whom Ford got to know even better during his visit to Clemson for the Dabo Swinney Camp in June.

“Ever since I first met him, our relationship has always been pretty good,” Ford said. “We’re always on the same page about each other.”

Along with Clemson, Ford traveled to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina this summer, while he plans to visit schools such as South Carolina and Duke this season in addition to Clemson.

When he looks back on his time at Clemson this summer, one thing about the experience sticks out to him.

“I got there at like 10 o’clock in the morning I think and I left at like 7 at night,” he said. “And that whole time, it was never awkward or anything. I had a good time the entire time I was there, and so did my family. That’s really what stood out.”

Ford’s offer list currently features Notre Dame, Auburn, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.

Clemson is an offer he covets and hopes to earn moving forward.

“I know they’re a very, very hard team to get an offer from, and I’m going to work my best to get an offer from them,” he said. “That’s one of my top schools to get an offer from. I would love it. So, I’m definitely going to work as hard as I can. I’m pretty confident that I’ll hopefully get one.”

“They would definitely be one of my top schools,” he added. “Ever since I went to them in the summer, they were always on the top of the list, like I gotta get an offer from them. I would love it.”

Ford is looking to make his commitment decision sometime after his ongoing junior season.

“I would say about after the season, maybe like after the New Year and all that,” he said. “I’m going to let the process take a little bit longer and see which other schools are talking to me, and then I’m going to make my decision later on.”

Ford recorded 69 tackles, including double-digit sacks, as a sophomore last season.

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