Crimson countdown: No. 30 Trace Ford
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 30 Trace Ford
2022 stats: Six tackles and a sack in nine games at Oklahoma State.
2023 outlook: Can he stay healthy? That’s the biggest question mark for the new Sooner. His battle with knee injuries has been well documented. He tore his ACL in the Pokes season finale in 2020. And the other prior to the start of the 2021 season. When healthy Ford, has been productive, recording 59 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles while at Oklahoma State.
Ford was part of a large transfer portal class focused primarily on the defensive side of the football and particularly the defensive line where Oklahoma recognized a need for veteran players.
His transfer from Oklahoma State sent shockwaves through the Sooner State, but a healthy Ford has proven to be a difference maker.
“I was praying to Jesus that we could get him when he got in the portal,” said defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis this past spring. “I appreciate the rivalry, I appreciate the bad blood. Really like it … but I think for Trace, it was about making a decision that was best for him. He’s an Oklahoma kid, he loves Oklahoma.”
2023 defensive end outlook:
On paper Miguel Chavis’ defensive end group appears deep. Blending a good number of returners in R. Mason Thomas, Reggie Grimes, Marcus Stripling and Ethan Downs along with a host of newcomers in Ford and Rondell Bothroyd out of the transfer portal and true freshmen P.J. Adebawore and Taylor Wein. Expectations are high for this group to be a key player as Oklahoma looks to take that next step defensively.
