Mike Gundy Was Sold on Trace Ford after Watching Him Play Baseball

STILLWATER — Somehow, Trace Ford has flown a bit under the radar through fall camp, but that changed Friday.

Ford was on the Cowboys’ depth chart, listed with an “or” alongside Mike Scott. Ford was a four-star prospect out of Edmond-Santa Fe. He also starred in baseball for the Wolves, and that’s where Ford made a big impression on Gundy

“He likes football,” Gundy said. “I do have to say that I was kind of a key recruiter there. When I went and watched him play baseball a year and a half ago, I was watching Stillwater, and he stole two bases. He beat out a bunt, and he stole two bases in one game. I was like, ‘Hmm.’

“I came back to the staff meeting the next day, and I said, ‘I know we’re recruiting the defensive end from Santa Fe. I just watched him steal two bases in high school against a pretty good catcher, and it wasn’t even close. So, if you’re thinking about it, I would highly recommend we go after him.'”

He has more than only speed. Ford didn’t enroll this spring because he was too busy doing this with that baseball team:

Final: With his second home run of the game @traceford12 walks it off with a monster Grand Slam to left. @ESFWolvesBSB defeat JenksHSBaseball 9-7 and move on to the state championship game.

Coverage sponsored by https://t.co/VDstv8zRRZ pic.twitter.com/d8pJ2GgBme

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 10, 2019

Gundy said he thinks the number of true freshmen expected to play is six. He mentioned Thomas Harper, Jayden Jernigan and Ford as players not expected to redshirt. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has named linebackers Na’drian Dizadare and Kamryn Farrar as guys expected to contribute, leaving one more guy unnamed. There’s 29-year-old freshman Tom Hutton who will start at punter for the Pokes.

The only other freshman on the depth chart was Langston Anderson, who was behind Tylan Wallace and Tyrell Alexander at a receiver spot.

Jernigan, who weights 300 pounds, had an “or” next to his name as the backup defensive end behind Tyler Lacy. Jernigan shared the “or” with Amadou Fofana. Dizadare shared an “or” with Calvin Bundage behind Malcolm Rodriguez, who made the move from safety to linebacker. Harper was on the depth chart behind A.J. Green, sharing an “or” with Kemah Siverand.

Gundy said he didn’t expect any of the team’s freshmen offensive linemen to avoid a redshirt.