- Playing time: He’ll likely enroll early and compete for early snap opportunities at the Jack position—playing time that Florida’s coaching staff used as part of their recruitment strategy.
- Signing Day: Early enrollments begin in December. Ford is expected to sign with the Gators during this period, joining the 2026 class and setting sights on starting early in his college career.
Bottom Line
Kevin Ford’s flip to Florida marks a big win—not just for the Gators’ up-and-coming defensive front, but for Billy Napier’s entire recruiting strategy. It shows that Florida’s coaching staff can not only identify and target elite players, but also close with them—even when competing against Big Ten bluebloods. For Ford, it’s a chance to align his talent with a program that values his development, gives early opportunity, and supports defensive stars.
As the Gators’ recruiting spree enters summer dead periods, this commitment sends a message: Florida is now a destination for top-tier EDGE talent. And Coach Napier is proving that momentum off the field matters just as much as momentum on it.