2023 EDGE Troy Ford has found his 'at home' feeling at UCF

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day edge Troy Ford felt home while fishing with UCF’s coaching staff. Ford landed a few fish in the process.

Ford announced his commitment on Tuesday to the UCF Knight. UCF won him over last week during his visit. Ford was in Orlando on Monday and Tuesday of last week.

“I love the location, the coaches, the players they welcome you to a family,” Ford told On3. “I was with the coaches fishing and I just had this overwhelming feeling that I felt like I had found home and told my parents that and then we told them (UCF) the next day.”

Ford feels comfortable with the UCF coaching staff now. It was one of the key components of his decision.

“I feel like I know them personally and they know me,” Ford said. “I know how they feel about me and I can tell they really want me there. They already treat me like family. My family was welcomed. That played a huge role for me.”

Ford is UCF’s second commit in the class of 2023, joining Apopka (Fla.) defensive lineman Kaven Call. The Knights will be moving to the Big 12 for the 2023 season.

Ford is high on the opportunity the Big 12 provides.

“I think about that a lot because I feel like I’ll playing against some of the best teams in the country,” Ford said. “I feel this coaching staff can get me ready to play against teams like that.”

What’s next for Troy Ford?

Ford says he doesn’t plan on taking any more visits. His goal is to settle in and focus on his final high school season.

“The process was stressful a little bit, but then it got easier and then trying to find a way to narrow down my schools was stressful,” Ford said. “Now that I feel like I’ve picked the right place, I feel like a weight has come off my shoulders. I don’t plan on visiting anywhere else. That’s part of why I committed early so that I don’t have to worry about anything like that in the summer. I can just focus on my senior season.”

Ford plans on becoming an avid recruiter moving forward for the Knights.

“I want to go there and win a championship and build up that program because it’s definitely on the rise,” Ford said. “I definitely want to help them recruit. They’ve offered three or four kids from my school. I want to get them all if I can. That team chemistry would build right up.”