Devyn Ford no longer with Penn State football program
Fourth-year running back Devyn Ford is no longer with the Penn State football program. James Franklin confirmed the news when asked about Ford’s absence from the Nittany Lions’ game against Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.
“Devyn Ford is no longer on the team,” Franklin said. “He’s decided he wanted to focus on academics and we wish him the best. I have a ton of respect for him and wish him nothing but the best.”
Ford began his career at Penn State during the COVID-amended 2020 season. Then a sophomore, Ford’s first significant action came after a debut in which he finished with 294 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries.
Ford was thrust into action in 2020 when a preseason diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy prevented Journey Brown from playing. Once a first-possession injury ended the season of classmate Noah Cain at Indiana, Ford quickly became the Nittany Lions’ top back.
With the opportunity, Ford played in six of the Nittany Lions’ nine games, missing games against Michigan, Illinois, and Michigan State. He tallied 274 yards rushing on 67 carries with another three touchdowns.
And, during the 2021 season, Ford was in the mix throughout the season, though a midseason injury at Iowa forced him out of action. He missed five games as a result.
This year, listed as a junior on Penn State’s roster, Ford has appeared sparingly. He made seven carries for 37 yards in Penn State’s win at Auburn. And, for the season, he had five receptions for 31 yards.
Ford’s absence upends a running back room that began the 2022 preseason as one of the strongest units in the program. Caziah Holmes was the first running back to leave the program, hitting the transfer portal in August.
