Paris Ford

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Position:
DB
Class:
Freshman
Height:
6-0
Weight:
175
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, PA
High School:
Steel Valley

2020: Associated Press All-ACC (second team)...played in and started the season’s initial seven games at safety…compiled 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three interceptions and three pass breakups…had a season-high eight tackles against Boston College and Notre Dame…at Miami, snagged a deflected pass by defensive end Deslin Alexandre and raced 34 yards to the Hurricanes' 12-yard line…in the Panthers' 21-10 victory over Syracuse, Ford halted an Orange drive in Pitt territory with a diving interception…also had a pick with four tackles in the season-opening 55-0 win over Austin Peay and was named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week for his performance…was named a preseason All-American by Phil Steele (first team), Sporting News (second team) and Athlon (third team)…named to the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

2019: Established himself as one of college football’s rising stars with a high-impact sophomore season…hailed as the Panthers’ most devastating hitter in at least two decades…from his safety position, led Pitt in tackles (97) and interceptions (three), while ranking second in pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (three)…a first-team All-ACC selection who was also named a Phil Steele All-American (third team)…twice named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week (Duke and Syracuse)…three-time PFF ACC Team of the Week honoree (Duke, Syracuse and Miami)…played in all 13 games with 11 starts (missing two starting assignments due to targeting disqualifications)…collected a career-high 12 tackles and two interceptions—including a 26-yard pick-six—at Duke and was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week…had 11 stops at Penn State…picked off a Nittany Lions pass at the goal line but it was wiped out due to a penalty...had 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a forced fumble at Virginia Tech…posted six stops and a career-high four PBUs against Miami.

2018: Played in nine games, serving as a reserve cornerback and on special teams…totaled five tackles on the year…twice had a season-high two stops (Albany and North Carolina).

2017: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Drew accolades as one of the nation’s elite prospects…selected an Under Armour All-American…rated the country’s No. 5 safety by Rivals, No. 6 by Scout and No. 7 247Sports…as a senior at Steel Valley, was highly decorated and productive on both sides of the ball…scored 22 touchdowns five different ways—by rushing, receiving, interception return, punt return and fumble return…had an incredible six interception returns for TDs as a senior…the Pennsylvania Football Writers selected him All-Class 2A as a defensive back, while Pennsylvania Football News honored him with the same designation as a wide receiver…named to the Pennsylvania Football News 2016 #TeamPA, which recognized the best players in the state regardless of school classification…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Class 2A Player of the Year…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”… led Steel Valley to a 15-0 record, the WPIAL Class 2A championship and the school’s first PIAA title…the Ironmen won all 15 games by the mercy rule…named to the Rivals 100 (No. 51), Top247 (No. 66), ESPN 300 (No. 68) and Scout 300 (No. 69)…rated the nation’s No. 4 “athlete” by ESPN… rated one of Pennsylvania’s top three overall prospects by ESPN (No. 2), 247Sports (No. 2), Rivals (No. 3) and Scout (No. 3)…played under Coach Rod Steele…in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game played in Orlando, had four tackles in Team Armour’s 24-21 win over Team Highlight.

PERSONAL: Paris Odell Ford, born 6/6/98, is the son of Michael Ford and Lynette McCoy…has three brothers and two sisters…cousin, Treyvon Hester, is a defensive lineman with the Washington Redskins and a former collegiate standout at Toledo...administration of justice major.