Penn State picks up key DL commitment from Old Dominion transfer
Penn State is trying to put the finishing touches on the roster for the 2023 college football season, and the Nittany Lions picked up a potentially key piece via the transfer portal Wednesday night.
The player is Alonzo Ford Jr., a defensive tackle out of Old Dominion. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 272 pounds, Ford started 25 games across the 2021-22 seasons after redshirting in 2020. With PJ Mustipher moving on to the NFL after the 2022 season, Ford has a shot to step in and make an immediate impact for Penn State’s defense.
Blessed and excited Let’s get to work!! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/CvjRmF5eqq
— Alonzo_ford (@AlonzoFord2) May 4, 2023
This past season, Ford recorded 32 total tackles with 5 TFL and 3.5 sacks. For his career with the Monarchs, Ford posted 73 total tackles, 8.5 TFL and 4 sacks with a forced fumble.
So far, James Franklin’s staff has been methodical with transfer additions in the 2023 cycle. The Nittany Lions had just one defensive transfer prior to Ford with ex-UNC DB Storm Duck. However, Duck re-entered the portal and left the program coming out of the spring.