In a transfer portal move that caught several of us off guard, the formerPenn State Nittany Lionsrunning back Devyn Ford announced his decision to switch toNª SªFriday afternoon.
— D. Ford (@TsunamiFord)May 26, 2023
Ford was part of Penn State's 2019 Stafford, Virginia recruiting class, choosing Penn State from a long list of suitors, including theclemson tigers,chestnut tigers,michigan wolverines,ohio stateBuckeyes and more. He was the #5 running back in the nation and a top 100 4-star prospect overall.
However, Ford's time at Penn State was not as promising as his prep career.
After a promising start with 12 games in 2019, Ford played just 18 games over the next three seasons. In 2022, seeing his time on the field dwindle, Ford retired from football after the fourth game of the season to focus on academics.
Finally, on April 24 of this year, Ford entered the transfer portal.
There was a small rumor that Notre Dame might come running back from the portal after Logan Diggs' departure to theLSU Tigers. Audric Estime is very strong, but behind him are the inexperienced GiBran Payne, the injured Jadarian Price and upcoming freshman Jeremiyah Love. This move definitely confirms Chris Tyree's move to catcher.
Notre Dame Football Scholarship Table 2023
| Position / Year | First year student | second year student | Junior | Senior | 5e/6e year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position / Year | First year student | second year student | Junior | Senior | 5e/6e year |
| attack player | Kenny Minchey | steve angeli | - | - | Hartman himself |
| Run back | jeremiah love | Jadarian Price, Gi'Bran Payne | audric esteem | - | devyn ford |
| hard end | Cooper Flanagan | So RaridonHolden Staes | Mitchell Evans, Davis Sherwood | kevin baumman | - |
| wide receiver | Braylon James, Rico Flores, Jaden Greathouse, Kaleb Smith | Tobias Merriweather | Deion Colzie, Jayden Thomas | Chris Tyree | Estera Salerno |
| center | - | ashton craig | pat coogan | - | Zeke Correll |
| Guardia | Sam Pendleton, Joe Otting, Chris Terek | billy schrauth | rocco spindle | - | andres kristofic |
| Intercept | Sullivan AbsherCharles Jagusah | Ty Chan, Aamil Wagner | Blake Fisher, Joe Alt | Michael CarmodyTosh Baker | - |
| defensive tackle | Devan Houston | Tyson Ford, Donovan Hinish | Gabe Rubio | Aidan Keanaina, Rylie Mills | Howard Cruz |
| On the defensive | Brennan Vernon, black arm | Joshua Burnham, Aiden Gobaira, Junior Tuihalamaka | jason one | Jordan Botello | NaNa Osafo-Mensah, Javontae John the Baptist |
| linebacker | Drayk Bowen, Preston Zinter, Jaiden Ausberry | Nolan ZieglerJaylen Sneed | - | - | Jack Kiser, Marist Liufau, JD Bertrand |
| Security | Adon Shuler, Ben Minich | - | - | Xavier Watts, Ramón Henderson | DJ Brown, Thomas Harper, Antonio Carter |
| cornerback | Micha Bell Christian Grey | Jayden MickeyBenjamin Morrison | Ryan BarnesKans Tucker | clarence lewis | live hard |
| specialists | - | Bryce McFerson (P) | - | - | Michael Vinson (LS), Spencer Shrader (K) |
| long shots | 23/85 (23) | 43/85 (20) | 56/85 (13) | 66/85 (10) | 83/85 (17) |
Fifth year eligibility is not shown in this chart due to the COVID year. May be subject to change.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24686268/Screen_Shot_2023_05_26_at_8.09.15_PM.png "Ex-Penn State RB Devyn Ford transfers to Notre Dame (1)")
2022 • YOUTH SEASON
Season:Appeared in four games... Had seven rushes for 37 yards (5.3) with a 30-yard long run... Added five receptions for 31 yards (6.2) with a 12-yard long catch.
at Purdue (9/1):He recorded an important 12-yard reception in the fourth to set up a Penn State scoring drive.Ohio (9/10):He made two catches for 13 yards.for garnet (9/17):Had three carriers for 37 yards, including a long 30-yard run... Added a 6-yard reception.Michigan central (24/9):Recorded a reception.
2021 • SECOND SEASON
Awards:Earned academic All-Big Ten honors... Named a Pro Football Focus honorable mention All-Big Ten honor for kick returner.
Season:Appeared in nine games, made one start...Recorded 14 carries for 61 yards and three receptions for 18 yards...He was a leading kick returner for Penn State, recorded nine returns for 191 yards with a length of 36 yards.
en Wisconsin (9/4):He counted a carry and a 21-yard kick return.State of the ball (9/11):Had 32 yards on six carries... Added three kick returns for 67 yards, including a long 31-yard return.Garnet (9/18):He had a kick back for 17 yards.Villanueva.(9/25):Recorded two carries for four yards... Had two kick returns for 34 yards.Indiana (2/10):He had a 12-yard run... Added a 9-yard reception.an Iowa (9/10):He started and recorded a carry and a catch.beemichigan state(27/11):Had four yards on two carries... Posted a season-high 119 yards on five kick returns, including a career-high 36-yard return.vs. Arkansas (1/1):A 4-yard carriage included.
2020 • REAL SECOND SEASON
Awards:He earned academic All-Big Ten honors.
Season:Appeared in six games, including five starts... One of 14 players to make first career start... Finished with 274 yards (third on team) on 67 carries (4.1 average) along with three touchdowns. .. Had seven receptions for 24 yards... Five kick returns for 93 yards.
in Indiana (10/24):Rushed for 69 yards on career-high 20 carries...Scored on a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter...Equaled his career-high with three receptions for 11 yards...Added a kick return 28 yards.Ohio State (10/31):Winde for 36 yards on eight carries, including a 23-yard run.Maryland (7/11):36 rushing yards on nine carries... Added 25 kick return yards.at Nebraska (11/14):Had 66 yards on 16 carries...scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter...added a 5-yard reception...had two kick returns for 36 yards, including a 20-yard return.Iowa (21/11):He had one reception and three carries.beerutgers(12/5):Ran for 65 yards on 11 carries... Found the end zone on a 7-yard run... Had a reception for seven yards.
2019 • TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON
Season:Appeared in 12 games...One of 29 players to make college debut...One of 19 true freshmen to play...Runned for 294 yards on 52 carries (5.6 average) with three touchdowns.. He became the first PSU freshman to rush for 100 yards in a game since Saquon Barkley vs. Michigan State in 2018...he became the first PSU freshman to rush for 100 yards in the season opener since Curt Warner vs. Rutgers in 1979.
Idaho (31/8):Rushed for 107 yards on six carries... Scored on an 81-yard run in the second quarter... Added three receptions for 6 yards.Buffalo (9/7):I had a 1 yard carry bag.Pittsburgh (9/14):Gained nine yards on five carries... Scored on a 1-yard run... Added a 9-yard grab.a Maryland (9/27):Ran for 43 yards on seven carries...Had a 20-yard run...Added a 15-yard reception.Purdue (5/10):He ran for 38 yards on seven carries... He ran for 20 yards.an Iowa (10/12):17 meters gained in four supports.Michigan (October 19):He had a 2-yard carry.in the state of Michigan (10/26):He ran for 25 meters on six aircraft carriers.in Minnesota (9/11):He had three passes for nine yards.Indiana (16/11):He rushed for 38 yards on a career-high eight carries.Rutgers (30/11):He gained three meters in two carriers.against Memphis (12/28):Scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter...Helpd Penn State tie the gamecotton bowlrecord with five rushing touchdowns.
One of the things that Marcus Freeman has said he looks for in a transfer portal player is a man who has several years of eligibility. Ford has two years left due to COVID 2020 and redshirted in 2022.
The best we can say about this move is that Notre Dame certainly has scholarships to use, and Devyn Ford is a very nice addition to the overall running room. He will be in the carry mix behind Audric Estime along with the rest of the RB depth chart.