2026 edge prospect KJ Ford visited Florida when the Gators took on the UCF Knights inside The Swamp on October 5th, 2025. The trip went well for the Texas native, which shot Florida up his board of potential schools.
“Florida is really a contender right now in my recruitment,” Ford told Gator Country. “Florida put themselves in a good spot going up there.”
Ford liked how Florida’s defense played together vs the Knights. He also noticed the number of freshmen the Gators played on defense this season.
“The brotherhood there. Seeing all the D ends get out there, just see how they play freshmen, they have a lot of freshmen All Americans I think this year and just see how they play as a team. I think I could fit their scheme wise,” Ford said on why he likes Florida. “The history of the program. They have good history there.”
The Gators see Ford playing the Jack position at the next level.
“I like how they play the Jack position,” Ford added.
Ford and Florida’s staff have been in constant communication since he visited for the UCF game, in particular with edge coach Mike Peterson and director of scouting and recruiting Joe Hamilton, who he met when coach Hamilton was working for Texas A&M.
“Good right now. Just getting up there, seeing the coaches and stuff like that, being able to talk to coach Mike P [Peterson],” Ford said on his relationship with Florida. “It’s a good connection. I talk to him pretty often before games. I got a good relationship with coach Joe Hamilton.”
Ford plans on taking official visits with Texas, Texas A&M, and Florida. He’s also interested in USC and LSU. The 6’3, 245-pound edge rusher plans to be back in Gainesville in January or February.
The Duncanville High School prospect tells Gator Country what the main factors in his recruitment are.
“Development, connection with the coaches, being able to go up there and play,” Ford said.
Ford wants to make a decision by September, but it could come as early as this summer. Ford is currently the 110th overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247 Sports.