An Oklahoma native who tore his ACL in each knee in back-to-back years before transferring across the Bedlam rivalry and fighting his way onto the Giants as an undrafted rookie.
Trace Ford is a linebacker/edge defender for the Giants whose college career was defined as much by injury as by talent. A four-star recruit out of Edmond, Oklahoma, he tore an ACL in each knee in consecutive years at Oklahoma State before transferring to rival Oklahoma to finish his college career and reach the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
Path to the league
Ford was a four-star recruit from Edmond Santa Fe High School who began his career at Oklahoma State. He tore his ACL in December 2020 before a bowl game, then tore the ACL in his other knee in September 2021 heading into his junior year, sidelining him for the season. He transferred to Oklahoma in December 2021 with two years of eligibility remaining.
Career highlights
At Oklahoma, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Ford was used all over the front seven, lining up as a stand-up pass rusher, off-ball linebacker and even a quarterback spy, giving him a versatile projection for the next level despite the injury history that cost him significant college playing time.
2025 season recap
Ford went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the New York Giants. He made an immediate impression in his preseason debut, recording four tackles and a fumble recovery that helped seal the win, and has continued fighting for a roster spot as a developmental linebacker/edge piece.
Sources
- Big Blue View: New York Giants UDFAs - Trace Ford
- Ponca City News: Trace Ford suffers second ACL tear
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Oklahoma
- Hometown
- Edmond, OK, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
