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Oklahoma DL Discusses Strained Relationship with Former Team Ahead of Bedlam

Originally posted on FanNation All Sooners
By Randall Sweet | Last updated 11/2/23

Former Oklahoma State defensive lineman Trace Ford made history when he transferred to in-state rival Oklahoma over the offseason.

Hailing from Edmond Santa Fe (OK), Ford committed to the Cowboys out of high school. The redshirt senior had a productive career at OSU, but dealt with a handful of injuries during his time in Stillwater.

On Friday, Ford went on The Sports Animal’s Friday radio show to discuss the final Bedlam matchup and his relationship with Oklahoma State’s players and coaches.

Ford claimed that he didn’t hear from OSU head coach Mike Gundy or the rest of OSU’s coaching staff when he announced he was transferring out of Stillwater.

“Not once, Gundy doesn’t care that I left,” Ford said. “Didn’t care that I was leaving when I was about to leave. I tried to inform him, didn’t care. I don’t think me and the staff had the best relationship. … I still talk to the players. … When I was informing the coaching staff I was thinking about leaving, they were like ‘ok get on out of here then’ pretty much.”

Ford said that he knew there would be plenty of blowback when he chose the Sooners, but still decided to commit to Brent Venables and company.

“At the end of the day I just chose what was best for me, and OU was best for me,” Ford said. “I knew it would come with the consequences of the social media haters. So, it is what it is. I just took it on the chin.”

Ford and his history in Stillwater will be another interesting storyline to watch in the final matchup between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, who will meet at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday.