Kyle Ford could not have written a sweeter final chapter to his USC football career at the Las Vegas Bowl. It’s a feel-good holiday story for him and the Trojans.
It has certainly been quite the ride for USC football wide receiver Kyle Ford. A highly-touted recruit, Ford arrived on campus back in 2019 as part of a decorated wide receiver class that also included Bru McCoy and Drake London. Upon arriving in college, however, each of the three followed a very different path.
London found immediate stardom at USC. He was a multiple-time all-Pac-12 honoree, and likely would have earned All-American honors in 2021 had an injury not ended his season prematurely. The Atlanta Falcons selected him eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he is already in his third season in the league.
McCoy had a bizarre ordeal where he transferred to Texas shortly after signing with USC, but then transferred back following spring practice with the Longhorns. After redshirting his first year on campus due to an illness, he earned a role in the Trojans’ wide receiver room in 2020, and was primed for an even bigger one in 2021. However, McCoy was arrested prior to the 2021 season due to an alleged domestic violence incident, and subsequently left the program. He transferred to Tennessee, where he has been a solid contributor for the past three years.
Ford, meanwhile, spent four seasons largely in the shadows at USC. He struggled with numerous injuries, and was never able to earn significant playing time due to a significant number of future NFL wide receivers on the depth chart.
Following the 2022 season, Ford elected to enter the transfer portal, and wound up at crosstown rival UCLA. His 2023 season with the Bruins did not go according to plan, however, and he was clearly unhappy across town. With one year of eligibility remaining, Ford decided to transfer back to USC for his final season of college football.
Ford’s 2024 campaign with the Trojans was a mixed bag. He caught just 20 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. With three of USC’s top five receivers entering the transfer portal prior to the Las Vegas Bowl, however, Ford was given an opportunity to step into the spotlight in his final college football game.
Did he ever. With the Trojans trailing Texas A&M 31-28 in the game’s final seconds, quarterback Jayden Maiava threw a slant pass to Ford from the seven yard-line. The veteran wide receiver caught the ball just short of the goal line and fell into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Following the play, Ford collapsed to his knees in celebration in the end zone. After all that he had been through, it was clear just how much that moment meant to him. Following the game, Ford got to climb the ladder and conduct the Trojan Marching Band in “Conquest”, a time-honored USC victory tradition.
After six years, two transfers, and countless setbacks, Kyle Ford’s college football career came to a close Friday night. It was a storybook ending indeed.
