A well-traveled offensive tackle who started at USC, Kentucky and UCLA before signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Courtland Ford's six-year college career took him through three programs and multiple injury setbacks before he landed at UCLA for a final season in 2025. Undrafted in 2026 despite his size and football IQ, he earned a rookie minicamp tryout with the Jets and turned it into a contract.
Path to the league
Ford began his career at USC, redshirting in 2020 before starting eight games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2021. He transferred to Kentucky after the 2022 season but was limited by injuries, making only two starts across two years there, including a 2024 season shortened by wrist surgery, before transferring again to UCLA for 2025.
Career highlights
Despite the injury-interrupted path, Ford appeared in 46 career college games with 25 starts across three positions on the offensive line. Evaluators have praised his football IQ and work ethic, with a Kentucky coach calling him 'wise beyond his years.'
2025 season recap
In his lone season at UCLA, Ford started 11 games with mixed results as the Bruins' left tackle. He did not receive a combine invite and suffered an ankle injury at his pro day that prevented a full workout, but he earned a tryout at the Jets' rookie minicamp and converted it into an undrafted free agent contract.
Sources
- ESPN: Courtland Ford
- Yahoo Sports: Scouting New York Jets UDFA Offensive Lineman Courtland Ford
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- UCLA
- Hometown
- Peoria, IL, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
