Alabama had the momentum in the days leading up to KJ Ford’s commitment. The Tide looked poised to close, but the tide turned in the final hours. Ohio State and Texas A&M were also in the mix, but the buzz didn’t last. Ford, the No. 116 overall prospect and No. 18 EDGE in the 2026 class per Rivals, has committed to Florida. It’s a big swing and a tough loss for Alabama, which seemed so close before things slipped away.

Duncanville 4-star EDGE Kevin “KJ” Ford made it official Friday evening, he’s heading to The Swamp. “Seeing Florida … the staff, in general, everybody clicked together,” said Ford last month. “I love the family atmosphere there.” His early June visit to Gainesville shifted momentum in the Gators’ favor, and despite late heat from Alabama, Florida held strong. With Ford on board, Billy Napier and his staff score their first Texas commit of the cycle and reel in their sixth top-200 recruit this summer.

On the July 11th episode of 247Sports, KJ Ford made his moment count. When asked to reveal his college choice, the four-star EDGE delivered with heart and humility. “Yes, sir. I’ve been truly blessed to be in this position to choose from the great universities to continue my education,” Ford began. He gave credit to his parents, coaches, and teammates for shaping his journey. Then came the big reveal: “So, without further ado, you know, that’s my commitment to, for the next three to four — not really, three years — to University of Florida.”

And when KJ Ford was asked what he’s bringing to Gainesville, the confidence was crystal clear. The question came with high praise from analysts like Mike Wright, Gabe Brooks, Hudson Stish, and Andrew Ivans—all raving about Ford’s upside. At first, he needed the question repeated. “Wait, can you say that again?” he asked. Then came the bold promise: “I was just saying what can Florida fans expect from KJ Ford now that he’s a Gator? First All-American, you know, just count on it, man. Y’all put your bets in. First All-American for sure.”

Then, when asked what gave Florida the edge in a tight race, KJ Ford didn’t hesitate to point to relationships. The Gators were battling with USC, Alabama, and others, but one connection stood out. “Honestly, throughout the whole process, you know, the relationship I built with Coach Napier, you know, just the head man, be able to talk to him every day whenever I need to and just him believing me throughout the whole process,” Ford said. So, in the end, trust tipped the scales, and Gainesville won his heart.

However, behind the scenes, KJ Ford’s recruitment was a rollercoaster until the very end. When asked how close things really got, Ford kept it real. “You know, it was a long process. I probably figured out where I was going right now yesterday, honestly.” No silent commitment. No early decisions. Just a last-minute call. So, Florida fans? You got him—by the skin of your teeth.

Before wrapping up the interview, KJ Ford was hit with one final question: How active will he be as a recruiter now that he’s a Gator? His answer was pure confidence. “Oh, real active. You know, just trying to get the best recruits at Florida. Honestly, you gonna get everybody.” Ford isn’t just joining the class—he’s ready to build it. And if his energy matches his words, Florida’s about to heat up on the trail.

Now, as Florida builds momentum, the first question that comes to mind is—where did Alabama go wrong?

Alabama’s misstep in the race for KJ Ford

Alabama tried to crash the party late for KJ Ford, but let’s rewind. The Tide had been in the mix early, hosting him for an OV in May and bringing him back three more times. Still, in a surprising twist, Bama didn’t make his final three. Just when it looked over, the tide started to shift again. This week, the buzz was back. On3 and Rivals insiders logged expert picks for Ford to land in Tuscaloosa, even tagging it with a 60% confidence. So, the drama was real, and the recruiting plot thickened fast.

But heading into decision day, Florida held the edge, sitting at 39.3% in On3’s RPM. But momentum was shifting, and the race tightened fast. KJ Ford, the No. 98 overall prospect and No. 11 edge rusher in the country, was ready to make his move. And it was clear; someone was about to feel the sting. Florida still looked confident, with Corey Bender and Alderman standing by their picks. But behind the scenes, the suspense was building.

So, Alabama tried to pull a classic Nick Saban-style power move—only this time, under Kalen DeBoer. They showed up late but came in swinging, bringing the full pitch. It felt like vintage Bama. But in the end, the fireworks fizzled. Despite the late surge, they couldn’t close. The Tide made it interesting, but Florida walked away with the win.