Pitt Football: Top 4 prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft

Paris Ford, the Pittsburgh native and 68th overall recruit in the ESPN top 300 opted to stay with the Panthers over Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and SEC powers. After redshirting his first season, Ford was a backup cornerback and special teams player before taking a starting role as a redshirt sophomore in 2019.

After breaking into the starting lineup in 2019, Ford decided to return to Pittsburgh to pick up more playing time instead of opting early for the NFL draft. Ford was all over the field for the Panthers and was one of the most explosive players on a talented Pitt defense.

Ford led the team with 90 tackles and three interceptions and also accounted for an additional three forced fumbles.

Ford made an instant impact in 2019, accounting for six tackles and a forced fumble in the season opening loss to Virginia and would go on to shine through the remainder of the season. Ford started 11-of-13 games after a targeting suspension in the win at Duke took him out of the starting lineup.

As a first year starter and his first season at safety, Ford was a lynchpin in the Panther defense. Ford’s two interceptions game against Duke, including a pick six, gave Pitt and early lead before rallying back in the remaining minute after blowing a 26-3 lead. Ford may be the most talented defender on the team and is a hard-hitting, ball hawking safety.

Ford has the athleticism to make the step to the next level and if he could take another leap from his 2019 play, could be a potential day two selection.