Oklahoma Sooners predicted to land 2026 four-star defensive end
The Oklahoma Sooners hosted a number of prospects from the 2026 recruiting class over the weekend for Junior Day and are already reaping the rewards of their efforts.
One of the prospects Oklahoma welcomed to Norman was four-star defensive end Kevin Ford Jr. On Monday, Sam Spiegelman of Rivals issued a FutureCast favoring the Sooners in his recruitment. Ford is considered the No. 11 defensive end in the cycle, according to 247Sports, and is a top 125 player in the class.
Out of Duncanville High School, Ford is a disruptive defensive end prospect. He's got a quick get-off at the snap that he uses to knife through the line of scrimmage or get around offensive tackles. Ford shows good play strength, displaying the ability to knock back offensive linemen with his initial strike. He sets the edge well in the run game and shows good discipline in his responsibilities. His speed and athleticism make him a natural pass rusher, but he has the strength to be a force against the run. Ford has a strong motor and is willing to chase down plays from the backside or after the quarterback steps up to avoid his initial rush.
He would be a great addition to the Oklahoma Sooners defensive front. In addition to his Oklahoma offer, he's being pursued by a number of Power Four programs, including Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss.
Kevin Ford Jr's Recruiting Profile
Projections
Sam Spiegelman of Rivals issued a FutureCast favoring the Oklahoma Sooners on January 27, 2025.
On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine believes Texas A&M to be the leader as of January 27, 2025.
Film
Hudl
Rating
Stars Overall Position State ESPN 4 130 16 12 Rivals 4 — 19 41 247Sports 4 111 11 14 247 Composite 4 189 14 26 On3 Recruiting 3 — 36 43 On3 Industry 4 206 20 21
Vitals
Hometown Duncanville, Texas Projected Position Defensive End Height 6-foot-3 Weight 245 pounds
Recruitment
Offered on March 7, 2024
Visited during Oklahoma's Junior Day weekend of January 25, 2025
Notable Offers
Per 247Sports
Alabama
Arizona State
Arkansas
Baylor
Colorado
Florida
Florida State
Houston
Kansas
LSU
Miami
Missouri
Nebraska
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Ole Miss
Penn State
SMU
Stanford
TCU
Tennessee
Texas
Texas State
UCF
USC
Marshall
North Texas
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Florida football a candidate for first College Football Playoff berth in 2025
Florida football a candidate for first College Football Playoff berth in 2025 Florida football is earning national attention as one of the top programs poised to make their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025, according to CBS Sports' Carter Bahns. Following the CFP's expansion to a 12-team format in 2024, the door has opened wider than ever for rising programs to break through. The Gators' late-season surge–powered by DJ Lagway's rapid development, a veteran offensive line and improved defense–helped shift the narrative surrounding Billy Napier's tenure as Florida's skipper. Entering his fourth season with the Orange and Blue, Napier now leads one of the SEC's most intriguing rosters heading into the fall. With the CFP now allowing multiple teams from power conferences like the SEC, Florida doesn't need to win the league to earn a postseason spot. Instead, a top-three finish in the conference could be enough to secure a long-awaited playoff berth. Here is everything Bahns wrote about the Florida Gators and why they could have a real shot at the playoffs next season. Everything CBS Sports said about the Gators "Florida sure looked like it turned a corner last November. Consecutive wins over ranked opponents, a four-game winning streak to close the year and a freshman-year breakout from DJ Lagway could not have come at a more opportune time for Billy Napier," Bahns notes. "If the last month of 2024 was a harbinger of success to come, the Gators coach could go from the hot seat to the playoff in just over a calendar year. It does not take much imagination to envision a breakthrough season, especially since Lagway has a talented receiving corps and one of college football's strongest offensive lines at his side." CBS Sports' teams poised to make 2025 playoff debut appearance Miami Hurricanes Illinois Fighting Illini South Carolina Gamecocks Florida Gators Louisville Cardinals Texas A&M Aggies Ole Miss Rebels Auburn Tigers Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
28 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Michigan State basketball star Malik Hall signs with professional team in Israel
Former Michigan State basketball star Malik Hall signs with professional team in Israel After a solid season in the NBA G League this past year, it appears Malik Hall is heading overseas to continue his professional basketball career. The former Michigan State Spartans has signed with a team from Israel's top division, according to a post shared by 247Sports' beat reporter Stephen Brooks. Hall played this past season with the Greensboro Swarm and Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League, where he had an impressive rookie season. Hall appeared in 22 games during the season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 22.9 minutes per game. Hall starred for the Spartans for five seasons from 2019 to 2025. During his time at Michigan State, he appeared in 153 games (64 starts) and averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He was one of the Spartans top players during his senior season, helping lead Michigan State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
Chicago defensive tackle Brayden Parks set to visit Notre Dame for Irish Invasion
Chicago defensive tackle Brayden Parks set to visit Notre Dame for Irish Invasion The godson of a Notre Dame legend is on his way to South Bend. Class of 2027 defensive tackle Brayden Parks will participate in the program's Irish Invasion event this weekend. Parks just so happens to have some Fighting Irish lineage as his godfather is Chris Zorich, who was an All-American nose guard on ND's 1988 national championship team. Zorich is also good friends with Parks' father, Marlon, since their days as high school teammates at Chicago Vocational. Additionally, his second cousin is Tony Jones Jr., who played running back for the Irish from 2016 to 2019. The Brother Rice (Chicago, IL) product recently wrapped up a visit to Oregon where he camped and impressed, and a trip to Ohio State follows after his visit with the Fighting Irish. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder has a rare blend of speed, quick feet and power for his size, and his recruitment is just heating up. Auburn, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and USC are among the schools who have offered him. He has been clocked running a 4.8-second 40-yard dash and has a 350-pound bench press. Certainly he is a rare breed. Parks is teammates with Quentin Burrell, a top wide receiver prospect whom the Fighting Irish are interested in as well. Parks is part of a strong contingent of defensive line talent in the Chicago area, which also features 2028 prospect Caleb "Bonecrusher" Tucker, a 6-foot-5, 367-pound defensive tackle from reigning Illinois Class 7A champ Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL). Because of his numerous visits to South Bend throughout his life, Notre Dame fans have reason to be optimistic that Parks could play on the Irish defensive line like his godfather. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
