Kyle Ford signs with USC football on Signing Day 2019

Four-star wide receiver Kyle Ford stuck with his commitment despite momentary turbulence, signing with USC football on Signing Day 2019.

One of USC’s biggest commitments of the year is now also one of the Trojans biggest signees.

Four-star wide receiver Kyle Ford signed his national letter of intent to join USC football this fall, according to USC director of player development Gavin Morris.

“We got him,” Morris tweeted on Wednesday morning, tagging Ford along with a picture of his MVP award from The Opening Finals last summer.

USC officially announced the signing on Twitter shortly after.

The Skinny

Ford started his high school career at Servite, but transferred to Orange Lutheran to finish things up.

He tore up the camp circuit in 2018, but injured his knee five games into his senior season of high school. Before the injury, he racked up 456 yards and seven touchdowns.

USC was hot on his tail despite the injury, but they had to fight off attention from Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Michigan to get his commitment at the All-American Bowl in January.

There was worry when offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury left USC to take over as head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, but the Trojans managed to assuage any doubt over his commitment.

Where He Fits in 2019

Ford is USC’s top-rated recruit for the class of 2019, ranking 38th in the 247Sports composite. In most seasons, that would put him in line to compete for very early playing time. However, the high school injury puts his freshman contributing ability in doubt.

MORE SIGNING DAY: Tracking All of USC’s Class of 2019 Signings

At the All-American Bowl, he insisted he would be healthy and ready to play by Fall Camp, but that remains to be seen.

Either way, he is a top receiving talent who is certain to contribute as soon as his body allows him to. The return of Michael Pittman and Tyler Vaughns could help take the pressure off rushing back, as the Trojans appear to have a strong receiving corps at the top end.

High School Highlights

He Reminds Us Of…JuJu Smith-Schuster

It’s high praise considering JuJu Smith-Schuster’s immense talent, but Ford has the size at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds as well as the physical attitude of his Trojan predecessor.

Like Smith-Schuster, Ford pairs an elite mentality with elite athleticism, despite some question marks over speed.