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4-star Edge Kevin Ford names finalists, sets commitment date

IMG_6615by:Blake Alderman•07/03/25•

Blake_Alderman

Kevin Ford on UF official visit
From Kevin Ford's Instagram account (@kj4ord)

The Florida Gators are set to see some key edge defenders exhaust their eligibility following the upcoming season. It’s been an area of focus for the Florida staff in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Duncanville (Texas) 4-star edge Kevin Ford has been a top target for UF’s staff at the position. He took the next step in his recruitment on Thursday by naming a final 3 and a commitment date for July 11. Heading into that upcoming announcement, Florida, Ohio State, and Texas A&M remain in play.

Florida has several factors that appeal to Kevin Ford

The Florida Gators offered in July of 2024 and have welcomed Kevin Ford to campus three times. He attended UF’s win over UCF last season, spent a few days in Gainesville for an unofficial visit in the spring, and had an official visit last month. Each visit showed a bit more about the program and different factors that have caught his attention.

“The brotherhood there and seeing all the d-ends getting after it,” Ford said about what appeals the most about UF. “Also, seeing how they play freshmen. They had a lot of freshman All-Americans, I think this year, and just seeing how they play as a team, I think I can fit in there, scheme-wise.”

Gators think Ford is a perfect fit in the defense

One of the biggest standouts to the Florida staff about the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is his ability to fit into the edge room at both JACK and the ‘F’ position. This past season, Ford posted 57 tackles (16 TFL) and 7 sacks on a loaded Duncanville team. He’s played predominantly with his hand in the dirt. However, Ford has also stood up to rush the passer at the high school level.

“At JACK, you’re basically a linebacker in a lot of ways,” Ford explained to Gators Online. “Then the F you are more hands in the dirt. You have a lot of freedom at the JACK spot because your role does different things. Their defense is a 3-4, but really it’s a 4-2-5 with the JACK, but you play a lot of linebacker-type roles between rushing the edge. The JACK can be moved off the line sometimes, too, so like I said, it’s more of a linebacker. They use guys at both, too. Like Tyreak Sapp, he plays both, so they want you to be able to know how to play both.”

The On3 Industry, a weighted average of the four major recruiting services, ranks Kevin Ford as the nation’s No. 116 overall player. Texas A&M currently holds the RPM edge.

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