Alabama’s football program made a significant move in the transfer portal by adding tight end Josh Ford from Oklahoma State. This signing marked the Crimson Tide’s first portal acquisition of the 2025 season and was a strategic decision aimed at addressing a key position for the team. Ford, who had already shown promise as a freshman at Oklahoma State, entered the portal in October and quickly became an attractive prospect for Alabama.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer, during a Wednesday press conference, shed light on why Ford was the right fit for the Crimson Tide. DeBoer highlighted the team’s pressing need for tight ends who bring versatility to the field. “We just need tight ends,” DeBoer explained. “Guys that are versatile and can do things on the line of scrimmage for us and give us some size. And we also need guys that can make the catches and be a threat in the passing game.” DeBoer emphasized that with the departure of key tight ends Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. at the end of the season, Alabama would benefit from adding a player like Ford who could provide veteran leadership and experience.
Ford made an immediate impact at Oklahoma State as a true freshman in 2024. He played in all 12 games, registering 10 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. In the 2025 season, Ford appeared in four games before entering the portal, tallying three catches for 45 yards and another touchdown. Thanks to his limited playing time this season, Ford will be able to redshirt and will have three more years of eligibility to contribute at Alabama.
The addition of Ford helps to fill the void left by the expected graduation of key players at the tight end position. Josh Cuevas, who is the team’s leading tight end with 30 catches for 341 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, will be departing. Danny Lewis Jr., who has one more year of eligibility, has struggled with injuries this season, and it seems unlikely that he will return for the additional year. This leaves Alabama in need of both depth and experience at tight end, which Ford provides.
Beyond Cuevas and Lewis, the Crimson Tide’s tight end room lacks significant experience. True freshman Kaleb Edwards has seen considerable playing time in 2025, with 11 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Jay Lindsey and true freshman Marshall Pritchett have also seen action, but neither has the same level of experience as Ford, making the addition of a veteran player all the more valuable.
Alabama’s efforts to strengthen the tight end position also included transfers last offseason. The team added Brody Dalton from Troy and Jack Sammarco from West Virginia. Dalton has contributed primarily on special teams this season, appearing in 12 games and making three catches for 22 yards. However, he will be out of eligibility after this season. Sammarco, who has two years of eligibility remaining, has had limited playing time in 2025, appearing in only two games.
With Ford’s arrival, Alabama gains a player who brings a blend of size, blocking ability, and receiving talent to the tight end group. His addition also provides much-needed depth as the team prepares for the departure of its current upperclassmen. The coaching staff is hopeful that Ford’s experience, combined with the potential of the younger players already on the roster, will help solidify the tight end position for years to come.
As the transfer portal continues to reshape college football rosters, Alabama’s move to add Ford represents a calculated and timely effort to strengthen an area of need. Ford’s blend of experience and talent gives the Crimson Tide a competitive edge as they continue to build toward future success.