Tyson Ford, Highly Touted Defensive Tackle, Transfers to UCLA

Ford, a former four-star recruit, joins the Bruins after stints at Notre Dame and Cal

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:03am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping forms and planes of a college football defensive line, rendered in a cubist style using navy, gold, and crimson colors to capture the raw power and energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the new defensive tackle duo set to anchor UCLA's line in 2026.St. Louis Today

UCLA's defense has received a major boost with the commitment of defensive tackle Tyson Ford. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Ford is a transfer from Cal, where he played in seven games last season after an injury sidelined him for the first five games. Prior to that, Ford was a highly regarded recruit out of high school in St. Louis, Missouri, where he played at John Burroughs. He initially signed with Notre Dame before transferring to Cal and now UCLA.

Why it matters

Ford's addition to the Bruins' defensive line is a significant move, as he was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and is expected to compete for a starting role in his first year at UCLA. However, his injury history at Cal raises questions about his ability to stay healthy and live up to the high expectations surrounding him.

The details

Ford, who is currently rated as a three-star transfer prospect with a score of 84, was a four-star recruit in high school with a rating of 93. He played in two games at Notre Dame before redshirting, then transferred to Cal, where he was expected to make a big impact. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him for the first five games of the 2025 season, and he ended the year with just 3 tackles in seven games.

  • Ford was a highly regarded recruit in the 2023 class.
  • He initially signed with Notre Dame, where he played in two games before redshirting.
  • Ford transferred to Cal after the 2024 season.
  • At Cal in 2025, an injury sidelined Ford for the first five games, and he finished the season with 3 tackles in seven games.
  • Ford has now transferred to UCLA, where he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The players

Tyson Ford

A 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive tackle who was a highly regarded four-star recruit out of high school in St. Louis, Missouri. He has played at Notre Dame and Cal before transferring to UCLA, where he is expected to compete for a starting role.

Vic So'oto

UCLA's new linebackers coach, who previously worked with Ford at Cal last season.

Maxwell Roy

Another defensive tackle who committed to UCLA on the same day as Ford, coming from Ohio State.

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What’s next

Ford will look to stay healthy and compete for a starting role on the UCLA defensive line, where he will be expected to make a significant impact alongside fellow transfer Maxwell Roy.

The takeaway

Ford's transfer to UCLA represents a major addition to the Bruins' defense, but his injury history at Cal raises questions about his ability to stay on the field and fulfill the high expectations that come with his pedigree as a former four-star recruit. If he can remain healthy, Ford has the potential to be a dominant force on the defensive line for UCLA.