Paris Ford explains decision to leave Pitt
Ten days after he opted out of the final four games of Pitt’s season, All-ACC safety Paris Ford explained his decision and declared for the NFL Draft on Thursday in a message on Twitter.
Forever, Thankful. ??#H2P— 12OUT. pic.twitter.com/XpRCud4NHb
— Pᴀʀɪs Fᴏʀᴅ (@DiddyBop12_) November 12, 2020
Ford was one of the top defensive players in the ACC this season and in 2019, recording a total of six interceptions and 14 pass breakups from his spot at strong safety, one he held for 17 starts. He led the team in tackles last season and through seven games in 2020.
A graduate of Steel Valley who got his start playing for the Garfield Gators youth team, Ford committed to Pitt as a junior at Seton-La Salle in 2015. In fact, he chose Pitt long before Pitt chose him, remarking after signing a letter of intent that he had his eye on the school as early as the sixth grade.
He wrote Thursday in his tweet, “Having the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends, in the city I was born and raised was a dream come true. I wanted to show those that came after me that we can be from here, we can stay here and inspire change and make a difference.”
Ford, 22, explained that he felt “overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the future” during “these trying times.” He added that leaving “weighed heavy on my heart.”
He did not mention covid-19 concerns specifically, nor did he reference his apparent anger on the sideline at the Notre Dame game when he was replaced by redshirt freshman Brandon Hill.
Pitt was 3-4 and in the midst of a four-game losing streak when Ford left the team nine days after the 45-3 loss to Notre Dame.
His former teammates won their first game in Ford’s absence last Saturday at Florida State, 41-17. Hill replaced Ford in the lineup, returned an interception for a touchdown and was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.
Ford is the second All-ACC Pitt player to opt-out this season. Preseason All-American defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman left the team at the outset of training camp.
Ford said in his tweet that he is excited about his future and his prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. In Mel Kiper’s recent positional rankings, Ford is listed 10th among safeties.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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