Alabama just made its first move in the transfer portal this offseason - and it’s a big one, literally and figuratively. Former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford is heading to Tuscaloosa, giving the Crimson Tide a veteran presence at a position where they’re expected to lose some key contributors.
Ford’s commitment isn’t a shocker - this one had been trending toward Alabama since he hit the portal in early December - but now it’s official. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Ford brings the kind of physical frame that jumps off the screen, and he’s got two years of Power Four experience under his belt. For a team like Alabama, that’s a valuable combination.
Over the past two seasons in Stillwater, Ford appeared in 16 games, including 12 in 2024 and four more to start the 2025 campaign. His stat line isn’t going to light up any highlight reels - 13 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns - but that’s not really the point.
What Ford brings is reliability. He’s the kind of tight end who can hold his own in the trenches, run clean routes when called upon, and do the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
And right now, that’s exactly what Alabama needs.
The Tide are expected to lose multiple tight ends to graduation and the NFL Draft, which makes Ford’s arrival all the more timely. He’s not being brought in to be the focal point of the offense - and he doesn’t need to be.
What he offers is a plug-and-play option who can step in without needing a full season to get up to speed. That’s a luxury for any program, but especially for one like Alabama, which is reloading rather than rebuilding.
This is the kind of roster move that might not make national headlines, but it matters. Programs like Alabama win in part because they stack their depth chart with guys who can contribute right away - even if it’s just a handful of snaps per game.
Ford fits that mold. He’s a veteran, he’s physical, and he knows what it takes to play at a high level.
As for Oklahoma State, this isn’t a devastating loss, but it does open up a spot in a tight end room that was already leaning on younger talent. Ford wasn’t a feature piece in Stillwater, but when you lose a player with that kind of size and experience, it leaves a gap. The Cowboys have some promising young options, but this is the kind of departure that subtly reshapes a position group.
Ford had other offers on the table - including interest from Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, and even in-state rival Oklahoma - but in the end, he chose the SEC powerhouse. And for Alabama, it’s a solid way to start their portal season: not with flash, but with function.