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Penn State's Devyn Ford Transfers to Notre Dame
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Penn State's recent backfield transformation is complete, as former running back Devyn Ford announced his transfer to Notre Dame. With Ford's departure, the Lions have completely overhauled their running backs room in 18 months, losing four players to the NCAA Transfer Portal, including their leading rusher for consecutive seasons.
Ford became the fourth scholarship running back to transfer from Penn State's program since January 2022. Noah Cain began the departures, leaving for LSU after the 2021 season, and was followed by Caziah Holmes to Florida State before the 2022 season. Keyvone Lee, who led the Lions in rushing in 2020 and '21, remained with the program through the Rose Bowl, though he didn't play in the season's final seven games, and announced his transfer to Mississippi State in May. Ford left the program after four games — head coach James Franklin said Ford wanted to focus on academics — and did not play the remainder of the 2022 season to preserve his redshirt. And the Lions, who began the year with five scholarship running backs, essentially finished with two.
But those two backs, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, transformed the position, combining to rush for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns. Singleton was named the Big Ten freshman of the year, and Allen was named to College Football News' Freshman All-America team. They return as sophomores to form perhaps the Big Ten's top backfield tandem. Penn State also signed former Minnesota running back Trey Potts from the portal.
Still, last year's changes were jarring, particularly for Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, who grew used to coaching multiple backs. understands. Last fall Seider said he was "shocked" at Ford's decision to leave the team during the regular season but ultimately understood the choice.
"This is the nature of the college football we're in," Seider said last fall. "We created this monster, so we're going to see more of it. I wish Devyn well. I love him like my own son. We all were shocked when it happened, but it is what it is, and I hope [Ford] has success."
Ford, who graduated from Penn State, arrives at Notre Dame with two seasons of eligibility. He rushed for 666 yards and six touchdowns on 140 carries at Penn State, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
