Poona Ford Bio
Kaylon Nakia “Poona” Ford Jr. is an American professional football nose tackle who plays for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and listed at 314 pounds, he is recognized as a powerful interior presence who has built a durable career after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. He attended the University of Texas, where his senior-season performance earned him Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2017. Across multiple organizations, he has earned a reputation for consistency, run-stopping reliability, and steady production along the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Kaylon Nakia Ford Jr. was born on November 19, 1995, in Beaufort, South Carolina. He grew up near the South Carolina coast and later attended Hilton Head Island High School, where he developed into a notable defensive line prospect. Family played an early role in shaping his identity, and his grandmother, Cynthia Ford Williams, gave him a nickname that has followed him throughout his life.
Ford’s familiar nickname has an unusual origin. When he was only two months old, his grandmother began calling him “Pooh Bear,” inspired by the character Winnie the Pooh. As he outgrew that childhood nickname in grade school, she modified it to “Poona,” a name unrelated to the city of Poona in India. The new nickname stuck and eventually became the public name by which teammates, coaches, and fans know him.
Ford initially committed to play college football at the University of Louisville. However, when head coach Charlie Strong left Louisville to take over the head coaching position at the University of Texas, Ford changed his commitment and followed Strong to Austin. That decision set the course for his college career and ultimately his professional path.
Path to American Football
At Hilton Head Island High School, Ford emerged as a high-motor defensive lineman whose strength and quickness drew attention from college recruiters. His senior performances helped him secure scholarship offers, and his initial commitment to Louisville reflected the rising profile of his recruitment. The coaching change that sent Charlie Strong to Texas altered Ford’s plans and provided him with a fresh opportunity at a Power Five program.
When Ford arrived at the University of Texas, he quickly became part of the Longhorns’ defensive line rotation. He worked through a developmental curve across four college seasons, adjusting to higher-level competition and expanding his responsibilities each year. By his senior year, his growth culminated in one of the conference’s top individual honors.
Following his decorated senior season at Texas, Ford declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. Although he was not selected, his college production and athletic traits were strong enough to earn him an opportunity as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks and began what would become a multi-year journey to establish himself in the league.
Poona Ford Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Ford signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent after the 2018 NFL Draft and earned a place on the team’s 53-man roster. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears and went on to appear in 11 games during his rookie season. Working primarily as a rotational defensive tackle, he posted 21 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, while continuing to refine his technique against professional offensive lines.
In his second season, Ford’s role expanded significantly. He appeared in 15 games and started 14, finishing the year with 32 total tackles, half a sack, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery. His growing reliability against the run helped him solidify a place in Seattle’s defensive front and laid the foundation for a starting role the following year.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2020-2022)
Ford’s third NFL season marked a turning point in his career. He started all 16 games for the Seahawks in 2020, finishing with two sacks, 40 total tackles, and one forced fumble. His consistency in the trenches made him a fixture on Seattle’s defensive line and helped him earn recognition as one of the team’s most dependable interior players.
Heading into 2021, the Seahawks placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Ford and later signed him to a two-year contract extension, signaling their long-term confidence in him. He responded with his most productive season, starting all 17 games and tallying two sacks, 53 total tackles, and one pass defensed. In 2022, he again started all 17 games, adding three sacks, 35 total tackles, and two passes defensed to his resume.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023)
On May 2, 2023, Ford signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. His time in Buffalo was shorter than his previous stops, but he remained a serviceable contributor along the defensive interior. He finished the 2023 season with one sack across eight games, providing veteran depth for a Bills defense that consistently contended in the AFC.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
On March 16, 2024, Ford signed with the Los Angeles Chargers and was named a starter from the outset of the season. He started all 17 games and delivered one of the most well-rounded seasons of his career, recording 39 tackles, three sacks, five pass deflections, and one interception. His versatility and durability helped anchor the Chargers’ defensive front.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Ford signed a three-year, $27.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He played in 17 games, starting 10, and produced 47 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in his first season in Los Angeles. After the season, Ford agreed to switch from No. 95 to No. 97 for 2026, reclaiming the jersey number he had worn in Seattle following the Rams’ acquisition of defensive end Myles Garrett.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ford’s game is built on low leverage, hand technique, and a heavy interior frame that allows him to anchor against double teams. He excels at clogging running lanes and using his strength at the point of attack, while also flashing the quickness needed to collapse pockets as a pass rusher. His knack for reading offensive line movements and maintaining gap discipline has made him a trusted run-stopper throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Ford’s defining career milestones came in 2017 when he was named Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year at Texas. In the NFL, his standout moment arrived in 2024 with the Chargers, when he recorded his first career interception. More recently, his three-year, $27.6 million contract with the Rams in 2025 stood as a clear validation of his long-term value after years of reliable play.
Poona Ford Career Wins
Poona Ford’s professional resume is defined less by headline-grabbing individual honors and more by sustained production across multiple NFL teams. He has recorded 13.5 career sacks, 276 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery through the 2025 season. While he has not yet earned major league-wide awards at the NFL level, his consistency and longevity after going undrafted have made him one of the more respected nose tackles of his era.
NFL Career Highlights
Ford’s biggest NFL highlight came during the 2021 season with the Seahawks, when he started all 17 games and recorded 53 total tackles and two sacks. His most recent highlight was his 2025 debut with the Rams, where he posted 47 tackles, two sacks, and one interception while playing a key role on the defensive line.
Other Performances
Beyond the NFL, Ford’s most celebrated performance came at the collegiate level, where he earned Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017 after totaling 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during his senior season at Texas.
Poona Ford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ford comes from a close-knit family with deep South Carolina roots. His grandmother, Cynthia Ford Williams, played a formative role in his upbringing and is credited with creating the nickname that has become part of his public identity. Her influence has remained a recurring theme in the story of how Poona Ford became the player he is today.
Personal Life
Public details about Ford’s personal life remain limited, and he has largely kept his private relationships out of the spotlight. His social media presence, including his verified X account and Instagram profile, primarily showcases training highlights, family moments, and reflections from his NFL career. He continues to be recognized for his dedication to his craft and his connection to his South Carolina roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Ford’s first year with the Los Angeles Rams after signing a three-year, $27.6 million contract in March. He played in all 17 games and made 10 starts, finishing with 47 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. His presence helped stabilize the Rams’ defensive front and provided experienced leadership along the interior line.
Ford’s role within the Rams’ defensive scheme centered on run defense and pocket disruption from the nose tackle position. His ability to occupy blockers allowed linebackers and edge rushers to attack more freely, contributing to a more aggressive overall defensive identity. The interception he recorded stood as one of the most memorable individual plays of his Rams debut.
Looking ahead, Ford is expected to remain a key contributor for the Rams in the seasons to come as he continues his three-year deal. His durability, football intelligence, and proven production make him a foundational piece of the team’s defensive plans. After switching back to his familiar No. 97 jersey for 2026, he is positioned to build on the momentum established during his first season in Los Angeles.