Pittsburgh announced Thursday that it has added Syracuse safety Dontez Ford to its roster.

Ford, who was a freshman redshirt this past season, will sit out 2013 per NCAA transfer rules. When he does play for the Panthers in 2014, though, it will be as a wide receiver. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

A native of McKees Rocks, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, was a WPIAL Class A All-Section selection his senior year of at Sto-Rox High School. He was also named to the Pittsburgh Tribune’s “Terrific 25” that same season. Ford helped lead Sto-Rox to a 12-1 record en route to a Big Seven championship and the WPIAL Class A championship game.

Ford tweeted Thursday that he’s happy to be returning home, but still holds Syracuse in high regard.

 

Glad I have the opportunity to do something great in my hometown. #H2P mad respect for #Cuse though.

— Dontez DaVaughn Ford (@D12Ford) January 10, 2013

 

Ford is the second player to transfer from Syracuse in recent weeks, after tight end Louie Addazio left to play at Boston College to join his father, new Eagles head coach Steve Addazio.

Published on January 10, 2013 at 8:21 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman