Mark Stoops confirms Courtland Ford is unavailable for Kentucky opener

On Monday, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops confirmed right tackle Courtland Ford will not be available for the Wildcats’ season-opener against Southern Miss. Further, Stoops stated Ford’s injury will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time.

Ford is entering his redshirt senior season. He transferred to Kentucky ahead of the 2023 campaign after spending three seasons at USC. Ford made 20 appearances and 11 starts for the Trojans.

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In his final year at USC, Ford was an integral piece of an offensive line unit that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which is annually given to the best offensive line in college football.

For most of his debut season at Kentucky, Ford was second on the depth chart at right tackle behind Jeremy Flax. He played in all 13 of the Wildcats’ games and made two starts against EKU and Clemson, respectively.

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Thankfully for Kentucky, Courtland Ford isn’t the team’s only option at right tackle. In January, Tennessee transfer Gerald Mincey committed to Kentucky and reportedly had an excellent summer.

Additionally, Kentucky added JUCO transfer Anfernee Crease, who is listed as the backup right tackle on Kentucky’s official Week 1 depth chart. Despite Ford’s injury, Stoops is happy with Kentucky’s offensive line.

“I like that group. I feel like we’re improving,” Stoops said. “Everybody always wants to continue to build the depth that we’re looking for. We have to continue to bring some young guys along that we feel like can help, and that will be needed to help at some point this season.

“I think the additions with Mincey and (Jalen) Farmer really helped us. I feel that presence, I feel the physicality out there. We’re not perfect and still a work in progress, but I think we’re getting better.”

Kentucky’s Week 1 offensive line depth chart

Left Tackle

1. Marques Cox (6-5, 318, Super Senior)
2. Malachi Wood (6-8, 320, Redshirt Freshman)

Left Guard

1. Jager Burton (6-4, 316, Redshirt Junior)
2. Aba Selm (6-4, 303, Freshman)

Center

1. Eli Cox (6-4, 309, Super Senior)
2. Koby Keenum (6-4, 302, Redshirt Freshman)

Right Guard

1. Jalen Farmer (6-5, 314, Redshirt Sophomore)
2. Dylan Ray (6-6, 310, Redshirt Junior)

Right Tackle

1. Gerald Mincey (6-6, 335, Redshirt Senior)
2. Anfernee Crease (6-6, 315, Redshirt Sophomore)