Penn State hosting transfer defensive tackle
Penn State is currently hosting a transfer defensive tackle, sources have confirmed to Blue-White Illustrated. The Nittany Lions have former Old Dominion defensive lineman Alonzo Ford in town for an official visit.
Ford has three years remaining to play two as he has not used his redshirt at this point. He went through spring practice with the Monarchs and entered the Transfer Portal on April 29.
Listed at 6-3, 275 pounds on the official 2022 Old Dominion Roster, Ford was a February National Signing Day addition in the Class of 2020. He was a three-star prospect and the No. 53 prospect in Virginia according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Old Dominion did not have a season in 2020, so in his freshman season in 2021, Ford started every game and finished the year with 38 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He also added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
“I don’t really understand what the qualifications are for the All-Freshman team if he’s not on it,” head coach Ricky Rahne said at the time. “I don’t know how you start every game and you’re not on the all-conference team. That’s insane to me, especially as well he played on run defense.
“His primary job is to stop the run and he did a heck of a job.”
In 2022 he followed that with 32 tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a sophomore. He was an All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention pick last fall.
Penn State familiar with Ford’s Virginia roots
Ford is originally from the Richmond area and played at Varina High School, home of Penn State 2023 linebacker signee Kaveion Keys. Ford was a First-Team All-State selection on both sides of the ball as a senior, helping Varina reach the state semifinals in 2019. He racked up 59 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and five sacks that season. James Madison and Old Dominion were the two main suitors during his recruitment and Wake Forest came in late with an offer and an official visit.
James Franklin said this spring that the Nittany Lions are looking for more depth and competition at defensive tackle in the Transfer Portal this offseason. The Nittany Lions have also offered Louisiana-Monroe defensive lineman Anthony Campbell and they’re exploring Florida A&M defensive tackle Kamari Stephens, who was a last-minute entry to the Transfer Portal on Monday.
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