Ford’s mental approach changed course of his football career
EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe football coach Kyle White noticed something change in Trace Ford as the defensive end’s junior season began.
Behavior changed. Attitude changed.
“I think we finally understood Trace, and Trace finally understood us, and there was a trust that was built,” White said. “Before that, we couldn’t trust him to do right on the field consistently enough, and he didn’t trust us with what we were telling him.”
From Ford’s perspective, the change was simple.
“I started figuring things out, stopped being childish,” Ford said. “I started bonding with my coaches, and when I got the chance to play, I took it.”
On Wednesday morning, Ford is set to sign a national letter of intent with Oklahoma State — one of at least 19 players who are expected to do so as the early signing period opens — to solidify Ford’s opportunity to play football at the next level.
In general, maturity isn’t an issue for Ford. He’s a middle child with eight siblings.
He takes his role as a big brother seriously.
He values education, taking advanced placement classes and still managing a 4.0 grade-point average.
But on the football field, he had to find his way in the first couple years of high school before he could fully take advantage of the athletic gifts inhabiting his 6-foot-2, 225-pound body.
“He’s a freak athlete,” White said. “When you pop on the film and you watch (him) hit, you’re drawn to his explosiveness, how quick off the ball he is, and the difference that makes.
“He plays 100 miles an hour. He makes plays down the line of scrimmage. He makes plays downfield. He’s a big-time competitor.”
Ford is one of six defensive linemen committed to OSU as signing day arrives, with the Cowboys working vigorously to rebuild a line that is losing six of its top contributors.
Also a talented baseball player, Ford contemplated approaching OSU coaches about giving a second sport a try in college. But for now, he’s focused on getting his broken foot healed so he can get back in the outfield for Edmond Santa Fe.
“I was never gonna quit baseball,” Ford said. “Baseball is what I loved. Then high school came around, and I started seeing that I might be better at football than baseball.”
Ford earned a first-team spot on The Oklahoman’s All-State team announced earlier this week, and he is ranked third in the state on the Super 30 recruit rankings.
He’s the versatile type of player who is quick enough to be a linebacker and strong enough to be on the line.
He mixes some of the skills of current Cowboy defensive end Jordan Brailford and linebacker Calvin Bundage, with a body type that is somewhere in between the two.
“The fit at OSU is the best for me,” said Ford, who dealt the most with defensive line coach Greg Richmond during recruiting. “I can play anywhere. Put me there and I’ll play it.
“Coach Richmond thinks if I have the right mentality, he doesn’t see a reason why I can’t play right away. It’s all up to me.”