PITTSBURGH — University of Pittsburgh star safety Paris Ford has decided to opt out of the remainder of the season in order to get ready for the 2021 NFL Draft, the university confirmed.
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed the news in his weekly press conference Monday afternoon. He said Ford is a great person and the team wishes him well as he prepares for his professional career.
Pitt, which started the season 3-0 and ranked as high as No. 21 in the AP poll, has lost four straight -- derailing a potential run toward the ACC Championship game.
Ford grew up in Pittsburgh and transferred from Seton-La Salle to Steel Valley midway through his junior year. In high school he was an Under Armor All-American and rated No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 safety in Rivals, Scout and 247Sports, respectively. He chose Pitt over multiple other D-1 offers.
Ford redshirted his freshman year. He became a starter his redshirt sophomore year and finished the year with 97 tackles & three interceptions and was named first-team All-ACC. Many expected Ford to try for the NFL, but he opted to come back for his redshirt junior season. He was a preseason All-American and on the watchlist for the Chuck Bednarik, Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski Trophy awards.
Ford has started in all of Pitt’s games this season. He was seen arguing with coaches after Pitt’s last game against Notre Dame, which the Panthers lost 45-3. He was taken out of the game during the second half. Narduzzi said Ford wasn’t removed for any reason other than so his back-up, Brandon Hill, could get some playing time.
Ford is Pitt’s second player to opt-out. NFL prospect and All-American Jaylen Twyman opted out of the entire season in August and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
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