How DL Trace Ford is Adjusting to Oklahoma After Making Bedlam Transfer That Took 'Guts'

Trace Ford admitted that his first couple of weeks in Norman were "weird", but that he's enjoying life with his new team under Brent Venables this spring.

NORMAN — Trace Ford is finally settled in at Oklahoma.

This past offseason, Ford earned the distinction as the first high-profile transfer to cross the Bedlam line.

Transferring to Oklahoma from Oklahoma State was a bold move — one that even raised eyebrows amongst his future teammates.

“At first I was like: Oh man, we got a kid from Oklahoma State. That’s a little crazy,” Oklahoma defensive end Reggie Grimes said of Ford’s transfer earlier this spring. “That’d be like one of us going to Texas.”

Not that he was uneasy or unsure of himself, but even Ford admitted there was an adjustment process once he joined up with his new team.

“The first couple of weeks, it was definitely weird,” Ford said recently. “I didn’t really talk to anybody. I was kind of introverted, kind of staying away.

“But everyone’s welcomed me with open arms and everyone’s really nice. Everyone’s a big family here, so it’s been really nice. The culture is really great.”

As time has passed, so has the initial shock of the move.

Ford, who ended his Oklahoma State career with 8.5 quarterback sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 59 total tackles, an interception and three forced fumbles, was content to attack his recovery and get up to speed mentally with Brent Venables’ Oklahoma defense this spring.

Trace Ford was productive whenever he was on the field for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and he hopes to add another dimension to Oklahoma's defensive line in 2023 :: Brett Rojo / USA TODAY Sports

An in-state talent who made an immediate impact in Stillwater, Ford has also had to overcome plenty of obstacles.

Injuries cut short his 2020 and 2022 seasons, and cost Ford the entire 2021 campaign.

Ford said the change of scenery has helped his mental approach to getting healthy, as he’s trying to build himself back up so he can take on a large role off the edge for the Sooners this fall.

“Coming from OSU where I was injured all the time — here, it was a refresher,” Ford said. “It was a new start. So I don’t think about (the injuries) as often, but I stay on top of rehab.

“… (Oklahoma’s) just definitely really aggressive in the rehab room. A lot of building the muscle around the area that’s hurt. So they’ve been really on top of me about not slacking, so anytime I slack, they get on me. It’s been really nice just staying ahead of the game.”

If Ford can stay on the field, he should be a boost to a defensive line that struggled through Big 12 play in 2022.

The Sooners finished last year with just 28 total sacks, one of the lowest marks by any Venables defense in his entire coaching career.

Oklahoma defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis hoped Ford would land in Norman after he announced he was entering the portal, and his dreams have been answered thus far with Ford’s ability to help the entire position group continue to grow.

“He’s always teaching us … even as the coaches are teaching,” sophomore defensive end R Mason Thomas said. “He’s a great guy, on the field, off the field. He’s just (had) a great impact. Learning the plays, I’m helping him, he’s helping me. I really think he’s adding value to the team.”

“Trace, he’s looking good,” defensive tackle Jordan Kelley said. “… Can’t wait to see him when he gets on the field.”

Picking up Venables’ complex defense was a big hurdle, Ford said, but he’s been able to lean on his experience to quickly pick up the playbook.

Now he’s hoping to get back to full health and compete for as many snaps as possible.

“I think any athlete, especially with a high competitive level, they want to play every snap they can,” Ford said. “You know that’s not realistic in football, but as many snaps as I can take, as many snaps as I can execute and do my job, that’s what I want to be. That’s what I want to do.”

He’ll get a chance to show his skillset off to a new fanbase in OU’s Spring Game on April 22.

Trace Ford has been working with Oklahoma's athletic training staff to get back to 100 percent physically this spring / Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m super excited,” Ford said. “I’ve heard how big the spring game is here, so I”m really excited to see what it’s about and have fun with it.”

Chavis has loved working with Ford so far as he’s worked throughout the offseason to improve the Oklahoma defensive line.

“In-state local kid out of Santa Fe High School,” Chavis said. “Dreamed of playing for the Sooners and he's got a shot. And I'm really glad I’m the edge coach. He's doing awesome. Learning a lot. Really eager.

“It's really been fun seeing the group — the dynamic of the group now compared to last year. Guys that are still here — their development, their maturity, their buy in. New guys coming, we did a lot of hard work trying to lay a foundation for who this program is going to be under Coach Venables.”

With spring football almost in the books, Ford is happy with his decision to make the in-state transfer, and he’s just looking forward to the opportunity that lays ahead of him this fall.

“I know it was a bold move, but it was best for me,” Ford said. “I’m not going to regret that at all.

“I’m sure that’ll happen again at some other school somewhere. Someone’s going to do it. Just whenever that happens, you’ve got to have the guts to do it.”

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