Alabama landed Oklahoma State transfer TE Josh Ford early in the Transfer Portal to little fanfare. But when we look back on this season in retrospect, there might not be many more important offseason additions for the Crimson Tide than Ford.
The physical tight end is bringing a mentality that was sorely missing in Tuscaloosa last season. He might not stuff the stat sheet or make a bunch of highlight-reel catches, but he might be the single most important player in terms of turning around the Crimson Tide's ground game.
That's just fine for Ford. That's exactly the type of ball he wants to play.
“I just love to hit people. That’s my passion for the game," Ford said, via AL.com's Nick Kelly. "Of course, I love to catch balls, catch touchdowns, that’s awesome, but just … putting someone on their back is the best feeling ever.”
Josh Ford's violent approach to football is a welcome addition for Alabama in 2026
Alabama's big tight ends - particularly Ford and Danny Lewis Jr. - will be vital cogs in the Tide's running game this season. Those physical, in-line blocking tight ends were something Alabama didn't have the luxury of having a season ago. Not with Lewis banged up, and not with Robbie Ouzts moving on to the NFL.
Ryan Grubb highlighted both Ford and Lewis, but also made sure to mention that guys like Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett have grown as blockers and will be key to Alabama's improvement in protection and moving defenders to spring the running backs.
It's no secret that getting more physical on the line of scrimmage was a major priority for Kalen DeBoer and company this offseason. Alabama was pushed around in the postseason in blowout losses to both Georgia and Indiana.
Guys like Ford were brought in to change that. While all the talk has been on the Crimson Tide's new look offensive line, the tight ends will be pivotal as well in flipping the script in 2026.
There's been a lot of positive talk this offseason about changing the narrative around Alabama, which was labeled as soft a season ago. That's all well and good, but even the most optimistic Crimson Tide fans need to see it before they believe it.
There's one thing to talk about it, and another to be about it. Ford appears capable of both. He's talking the talk, but according to DeBoer and others, he's been walking the walk in practice with his ability to put defenders on their backs.
In nine days, Alabama will have its first opportunity to prove that things are going to be different this season. If they are, Ford will be a major reason why.
“I can’t wait," Ford said. "I think this is technically our last practice of fall camp, so next week is officially ECU, which is awesome. I can’t wait; the boom is going to be laid.”
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