Pitt safety Paris Ford has been named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports.
Ford is in the running for a second straight All-American season, after being named as a third-team All-American by Phil Steele a season ago. He was also a first-team All-ACC selection.
A redshirt junior, Ford led Pitt in tackles with 97 during a breakout 2019 season. He also had a team-high three interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced three fumbles.
A Pittsburgh native and Steel Valley alum, Ford rejected advances from the NFL to return to Pitt along with secondary-mate Damar Hamlin and defensive linemen Patrick Jones II and fellow preseason All-American Jaylen Twyman.
Ford’s breakout 2019 at boundary safety came after playing sparingly as a reserve cornerback in 2018 and not at all while redshirting in 2017. In 2019, he made 11 starts in 13 games, missing two assignments due to targeting penalties.
With another season of growth under his belt, and a reduction in penalties that could lead to increased playing time, Ford could become the highest-drafted Pitt safety ever in 2021.
