HUNTINGTON BEACH – Kyle Ford is keeping his college options open at this point – surveying a growing field of suitors — but when it comes to his feelings for Orange Lutheran, his intent becomes quite clear.
He simply follows his heart.
Just days after an impressive yet exhausting performance at The Opening Finals in Texas, the senior wide receiver was back in action Saturday, July 7 at the Battle at the Beach passing tournament at Edison.
Ford (6-2, 210) and quarterback Ryan Hilinski helped the Lancers reach the semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Mater Dei 15-6. In pool play, Orange Lutheran edged tournament runner-up Mission Viejo 22-20 behind two touchdown catches by JoJo Hawkins.
“I’m definitely really tired but it’s good,” Ford said late Saturday afternoon after the semifinals. “I love this team and I just really want us to bond. I feel if I’m not out there, it kind of throws things off a little bit.”
Ford returned late on Tuesday, July 3 from Texas. He raised his already soaring recruiting stock by collecting an eye-popping 51 receptions and earning the 7-on-7 Most Valuable Player honor at The Opening Finals.
Since the event, Ford has added scholarship offers from Florida State and Miami.
But his recruiting process remains fluid. He has made an official recruiting trip to Colorado and also is interested in Oregon, Michigan, USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Florida and Florida State.
“I’m wide open on everything, honestly,” Ford said. “Right now, I’m just letting things play out a little bit.”
And Ford is playing hard for Orange Lutheran, which returns to 7-on-7 competition Saturday, July 14 in Mission Viejo’s South County tournament.
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Please send football recruiting news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter
