Florida commit Kevin Ford named to DCTX preseason super team

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football recognizes the top players in Texas high school football with the 2025 Whataburger Super Team. The publication announced the preseason defensive team this week, and included a top Florida Gators commit. Duncanville (Texas) 4-star edge Kevin Ford was named to the defensive first-team list as a defensive lineman.

Over the years, the Whataburger Super Team has celebrated big names in the sport who played in Texas. Past names include quarterback Andrew Luck, quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, wide receiver Marvin Mims, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver Jordan Whittington, defensive back Caden Sterns, and defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal.

RELATED: Another top Florida commit was named to the DCTX first-team offensive list

Why Florida commit Kevin Ford received the nomination

Florida commit Kevin Ford is not only one of the top front-seven defenders in the state of Texas, but he’s also a top prospect in the country. The Rivals Industry Rankings lists Ford as the No. 125 overall prospect in the 2026 class. As a junior, he notched 57 tackles (16TFL), 7 sacks, 15 QB hurries, caused a fumble, and recovered another fumble according to MaxPreps.

His his two years playing at Duncanville, Ford has appeared in 26 games. His career numbers ahead of his senior year include 110 tackles (30 TFL), 9.5 sacks, 33 QB hurries, caused two fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. One of those fumbles he scooped was taken back for a touchdown during his sophomore season.

“Ford is a rare edge talent with jaw-dropping first-step quickness that jumps off the tape—especially in the opening clips of his highlight reel,” wrote Greg Powers of TexasFootball.com. “As one of the first underclassmen to ever play in the Under Armour All-America Game, he notched a sack and proved his burst holds against elite competition.”

Ford was one of Florida’s top overall targets in the 2026 class

The Gators offered Kevin Ford last year, and immediately began treating him like a priority target. Edge coach Mike Peterson, head coach Billy Napier, assistant edge coach Larry Williams, and recruiting staffer Joe Hamilton were all heavily involved.

Florida’s interest in Ford was due to his fit into the edge room at both the ‘JACK’ and ‘F’ position. The staff tends to prioritize position flexibility. That was the case with Ford, along with his ability to fire off the ball quickly. Even if he’s unable to record a sack, Ford can disrupt plays by getting close enough to the passer.

“They say my ability to stand up, but also be able to put my hand in the dirt, can help me get on the field early,” Ford said of why he’s a top target. “They said that ability makes me a priority. They’ve kept to their word on how that makes me a priority. They’ve not slowed down on me, so I can see they mean what they say.

“They think I can play the JACK and the F,” he added. “How having me would give them a true pass rusher on the team. Be someone who can play early is their emphasis since they have guys leaving.”

The Rivals Industry, a weighted average of the four major recruiting services, ranks Kevin Ford as the nation’s No. 125 Overall player.