Kalen DeBoer raved about Oklahoma State transfer TE Josh Ford all summer. He talked about how Ford was bringing toughness and a gritty mentality to Tuscaloosa that was sorely missing last season.
Alabama fans got to see it firsthand from the opening snap of the season. Ford is a nice guy off the field, but he plays with a nastiness on the field that sets the tone for the Crimson Tide up front. Just ask Dylan Stewart about that.
He has spearheaded a much-improved TE room, which has made a significant difference in Alabama's ability to run the ball.
Alabama had a toughness problem last season. We saw it against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and again against Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
Ford has helped solve that.
Built Ford tough is a slogan that the Ford Motor Company has used for a long time. They may want to toss Josh an NIL deal.
On Wednesday's SEC teleconference, Kalen DeBoer revealed that Josh Ford broke his arm last weekend against Mississippi State. He also revealed that Ford came back into the game after the injury.
That's some Bear Bryant vs. Tennessee in 1935 level toughness. And it doesn't stop there.
DeBoer also revealed that Ford had surgery to repair the injury on Sunday and that he is determined to play on Saturday night against Georgia.
"Josh broke his arm in the game Saturday, had surgery Sunday. He's determined to get on the football field," DeBoer said. "Actually progressing along fairly well right now. We'll kind of see how the week continues for him. I know where his mindset is at. We just got to make sure he meets the levels we need him to meet as far as being physically ready. He's doing a great job. It's going well. We're optimistic."
Alabama is optimistic that Josh Ford will be able to play vs. Georgia despite broken arm
Ford is turning into a cult hero in Alabama history right before our eyes. He's been a major part of the Crimson Tide's turnaround up front this season. Alabama needed some nastiness, and Ford has delivered.
It speaks to his toughness, both physically and mentally, that he was able to come back into the game last week in Starkville and that he's lobbying to play this weekend against Georgia just six days post-surgery.
They don't make a ton of dudes like that.
This is the exact game that Alabama brought Ford to Tuscaloosa for. The Crimson Tide won't face a more physically imposing opponent this year, at least not in the regular season. He's needed for however many snaps he can tough it out for.
The good news is that Alabama is fairly deep at the position. Kaleb Edwards, Marshall Pritchett, and Danny Lewis Jr. have given the Tide excellent snaps this season. Jay Lindsey is waiting in the wings for his opportunity for more, too.
But I wouldn't bet against Ford playing on Saturday night. He's already proven he really only needs one arm anyway.
WHAT A GRAB! One-handed touchdown by Josh Ford.pic.twitter.com/wZbmUrexZP
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) September 27, 2026
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