Alabama Tight End "Loves to Hit People"

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- New Alabama tight end Josh Ford has logged reps in 16 games across his first two seasons in college football, but hasn't played in a game since Oklahoma State's September 27 loss to Baylor last season, redshirting for the remainder of the year before transferring to Alabama.

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The Stillwater, Oklahoma, native may not have had many offers coming out of high school, but when he entered his name in the transfer portal following Mike Gundy's firing, the offers came rolling in for the 6-foot-6, 266-pound tight end.

"When I hit the portal, all of these options opened up to me, and I was kinda blown away," Ford told reporters on Thursday morning. "Just asking the Lord where he wanted me to go. It was a really hard decision, but I totally believe he wanted me here for multiple reasons. All those haven't been unveiled to me yet, but I'm sure I'm supposed to be here.

"I loved them all," Ford said of the visits he took after entering the transfer portal. " [Texas] A&M was fun, K-State (Kansas State), Auburn was fun before Freeze got fired, but there were so many good options. Oklahoma; that would have been a lot closer, but this was definitely the best fit for me."

Despite not playing in a game since last September, Ford worked out at his high school during his time in the transfer portal to remain in football shape. He committed to Alabama on December 16 as the Tide's first transfer portal commitment.

"I can't wait," Ford said about getting back on the field. "I think this is technically our last practice of fall camp, so next week, it's officially ECU, which is awesome. I can't wait, and we're on KOR wedge, so the boom is going to be laid."

Earlier in fall camp, Ford was described as a tone setter, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb called him, "as dominant a player on the line of scrimmage as anybody you’re going to see." What does that mean for Ford's style of play?

"I just love to hit people," he said. "That's my passion for the game, you know? And so, of course, I love to catch balls, catch touchdowns, that's awesome too, but the will sheer to put someone on their back is just the best feeling ever."

During his time at Oklahoma State, Ford caught 13 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Alabama wrapped up fall camp practice on Thursday. When Alabama takes the field on Monday, it will be week-one preparation against East Carolina. Alabama is scheduled to open the 2026 season at home against East Carolina on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.