Arkansas Safety Enters Transfer Portal

Ford’s Time at Arkansas

Ford signed with Arkansas in 2023 out of McKinney High School in Texas, rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. The 6-foot, 176-pound defensive back was listed as the No. 68 safety nationally and No. 115 overall recruit in Texas. Ford chose the Razorbacks over several Power Five programs, including Arizona, TCU, and Nebraska.

Despite his recruiting profile, Ford was unable to carve out a role in Fayetteville. He redshirted his first season and did not appear in any games during his second year. Throughout the 2024 spring practices, Ford spent significant time on the sidelines and was not featured among the top three defensive groups. His departure lowers Arkansas’ scholarship count to 83, giving the Razorbacks added flexibility heading into the summer.

Ongoing Portal Activity

Ford was the second Razorback to enter the portal on Friday, following the exit of running back Tyrell Reed, who scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown in limited action last season. Their departures cap off a week of transfer activity that began with freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava transferring to UCLA. Redshirt freshman guard Zuri Madison, running back JuJu Pope, and wide receiver Shamar Easter also announced their decisions to leave earlier in the week.

Amid the turnover, Arkansas did secure a notable addition. Former Florida State quarterback Trever Jackson, a former four-star recruit, announced his transfer to the Razorbacks on Thursday. Despite the losses, Arkansas currently holds the No. 17 transfer class in the country according to 247Sports, an encouraging sign for the program’s broader roster-building efforts.

Impact of Ford’s Departure

While Ford's exit does not significantly affect Arkansas’ immediate depth chart, given that he had yet to see the field in two seasons, it highlights a continued area of need for the Razorbacks: safety play. The team remains focused on finding contributors who can bolster a secondary that struggled at times in recent years.

For Ford, the portal presents a fresh opportunity to find a program where he might have a clearer path to playing time. For Arkansas, it represents another spot to fill as Pittman and his staff work to fine-tune the roster ahead of the 2025 season.

With the transfer portal window now closed, attention will shift to summer workouts and the final push toward fall camp in Fayetteville.