Poona Ford Bio
Kaylon Nakia “Poona” Ford Jr. is an American professional football nose tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 19, 1995, in Beaufort, South Carolina, Ford played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he earned Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2017. After going undrafted in 2018, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and has since built a steady career across multiple NFL franchises.
Early Life and Background
Poona Ford was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and raised in nearby Hilton Head Island. He attended Hilton Head Island High School, where he developed into a promising defensive lineman. His combination of size, quickness, and football instincts drew attention from college programs across the country during his high school years.
Ford initially committed to the University of Louisville to continue his football career. When Louisville head coach Charlie Strong left the program to take over as head coach at the University of Texas, Ford changed his commitment and followed Strong to Austin. That decision set the course for his collegiate development and future professional trajectory.
Path to American Football
Ford enrolled at the University of Texas and joined the Texas Longhorns football program in 2014. As a freshman, he appeared in seven games and recorded nine total tackles with one tackle for loss, giving coaches a glimpse of his potential. The early playing time allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of major college football.
By his sophomore season, Ford had grown into a more reliable presence on the defensive line, finishing the year with 39 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 10 games. He continued to progress as a junior, posting a career-high 54 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss across 12 games. His senior season capped his college career, as he earned Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year after recording 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Poona Ford Career
Early Career (2018)
Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Poona Ford signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He impressed during training camp and preseason, earning a spot on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster as a rookie. Ford made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears and earned his first career start in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.
In his rookie campaign, Ford appeared in 11 games and finished with 21 total tackles, including 13 solo stops and 8 combined tackles. Despite being undrafted, his performance demonstrated run-stopping ability and positional discipline that earned him a longer look in Seattle’s defensive rotation.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2019-2022)
Ford’s role expanded significantly in his second season. In 2019, he appeared in 15 games and started 14, finishing with half a sack, 32 total tackles, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery. His consistency against the run helped anchor the Seahawks’ defensive front, and he became a regular starter by the end of the year.
The 2020 season saw Ford start all 16 games and produce two sacks, 40 total tackles, and one forced fumble. His performance led the Seahawks to place a second-round restricted free agent tender on him in March 2021, followed by a two-year contract extension. In 2021, he started all 17 games and recorded two sacks, 53 total tackles, and one pass defensed. He closed his Seahawks tenure in 2022 with three sacks, 35 total tackles, and two passes defensed while starting all 17 games.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023)
On May 2, 2023, Poona Ford signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He joined a defensive line rotation in Buffalo and contributed as a veteran nose tackle. His single season with the Bills added another chapter to his journey as a reliable interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
On March 16, 2024, Ford signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was named a starter to begin the year and went on to start all 17 games of the season. Ford recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, five pass deflections, and one interception, showing he could still disrupt both the run and passing game from the nose tackle position.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Ford signed a three-year, $27.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The deal reflected his value as a proven veteran nose tackle capable of starting every game and contributing on early downs. He joined a Rams defense looking to bolster its interior line, and his presence has added experience and stability to the rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Ford is a football player rather than a race car driver, his on-field strengths are well-defined. He excels at clogging running lanes, using leverage and low pad level to hold up against double teams. His instincts allow him to diagnose plays quickly, and his hands and quickness help him collapse the pocket and disrupt passing lanes. Across multiple teams, he has been trusted to handle a high volume of snaps at nose tackle.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Poona Ford’s signature accomplishments is his 2017 Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year award, the highest individual honor of his college career. He has also started every game in each of his last several NFL seasons, a testament to his durability and consistency. In 2024, his first career regular-season interception with the Chargers added an unexpected playmaking moment to his resume.
Poona Ford Career Stats
Poona Ford’s career has been defined by steady production rather than flashy numbers. From his undrafted rookie season in Seattle to multi-year deals in Buffalo, Los Angeles, and now the Rams, he has started a majority of his NFL appearances and consistently contributed against the run.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Ford’s best statistical season came in 2021 with the Seahawks, when he posted 53 total tackles and two sacks across 17 starts. His sack totals peaked in 2022 with three sacks, and he matched that mark in 2024 while adding five pass deflections and an interception with the Chargers. Across his time in Seattle, Buffalo, Los Angeles, and now the Rams, he has remained a dependable interior presence.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Texas, Ford steadily improved, culminating in his Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year selection as a senior in 2017. His college progression from 9 tackles as a freshman to 54 in his junior year demonstrated the work ethic that eventually earned him a foothold in the NFL despite going undrafted.
Poona Ford Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Poona Ford was raised in the Hilton Head Island area of South Carolina. Public details about his parents and broader family remain limited. His full given name, Kaylon Nakia Ford Jr., suggests a family tradition of naming, and he has long been known publicly by his childhood nickname “Poona.”
Personal Life
Information about Ford’s spouse, children, and residence is not publicly confirmed in available sources. He remains active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. His professional journey has taken him from South Carolina to Texas, Washington State, New York, and California as his NFL career has progressed.
2025 Season Performance
Poona Ford entered the 2025 NFL season as a key addition to the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line. Signed in March 2025 to a three-year, $27.6 million contract, he was expected to anchor the middle of the Rams’ defense and handle a heavy snap count against the run. His track record of starting every game in recent seasons made him a reliable cornerstone for the new-look Rams front.
Throughout the 2025 season, Ford has continued to serve as a starting nose tackle, providing the kind of interior stability the Rams sought when they signed him. His combination of run defense, pocket pressure, and veteran leadership has fit the defensive scheme well, and he has been a regular presence on early downs and in short-yardage situations.
Looking ahead, Ford’s role in Los Angeles appears secure, with multiple years remaining on his contract. His ability to stay healthy, start consistently, and produce against both the run and the pass will be central to the Rams’ defensive outlook. For a player once passed over in the draft, his 2025 campaign represents another step in a quietly durable and productive professional career.