The hope is this will be the only time this week that the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Oklahoma Sooners.
Oklahoma State transfer tight end Josh Ford, an in-state product who recently included OU in his top 5, signed with Alabama out of the Transfer Portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3 on Tuesday. Even though the portal doesn't officially open until Jan. 2, Ford was able to sign early after already being in the portal after Mike Gundy was fired from OSU midseason. Ford's decision, as if getting back at his old Bedlam rival one last time, came just days before the Sooners host Alabama on Friday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma State TE Josh Ford signs with Bama over Sooners ahead of CFP rematch
Earlier this month, Ford announced a top 5 of Bama, OU, Arkansas, Auburn and Illinois. Ford visited OU during the season on Oct. 25, when the Sooners lost to Ole Miss. He was then in Tuscaloosa two weeks later when Bama beat LSU. Signs pointed toward Ford, a Stillwater native, staying in the state, but maybe growing up in the shadows of Boone Pickens Stadium was something Ford couldn't get over to wear that certain crimson and cream.
On3 had predicted Ford to choose OU or Auburn. The outlet also ranked Ford as the fourth-best tight end currently in the portal, while 247Sports ranked him at No. 2.
In four games this season before deciding to redshirt and transfer, Ford caught three passes for 45 yards and scored a touvhdown in his last appearance as a Cowboy against Baylor on Sept. 27. In 2024, Ford was one of just two freshmen to crack the starting lineup for OSU. He finished his freshman campaign with 10 receptions for 92 yards and a TD while playing in every game and making six starts.
After redshirting this season, Ford will have three years of eligibility left. He never got to play against the Sooners in Bedlam, but within the next three years, leaving the state actually increased Ford's chances of one day playing against a team he was raised to hate.