We’re still early in the 2023 recruiting cycle, but Iowa State’s staff is hoping to have found its next elite pass-rusher in a Savannah, Ga. athlete.
The program became the latest team to offer Troy Ford Jr. a scholarship on Monday, joining schools like Notre Dame, Auburn and soon-to-be Big 12 program UCF.
“They said they really like the way I play and how physical I am,” Ford Jr. said. “They told me to look up Will McDonald from there – he’s a dog. They compared me to him and maybe I could be better.”
Ford Jr.’s offer list is extensive, also including Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, West Virginia, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder is rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
“The recruiting process has been really good to me and I’m extremely blessed I have all of the opportunities that I do,” Ford Jr. said. “At first it was stressful, but me and my family learned to just take it day-by-day.”
Ford Jr. is listed as a linebacker but has played his share of defensive end as well.
“I think whatever I put my mind to – and last season I played both linebacker and defensive end. I might not be as tall as other defensive ends, but I feel like I’m definitely as fast.”
Ford Jr. said he plans on visiting Iowa State over the summer as long as everything works out as planned.
