Poona Ford

Kaylon Nakia "Poona" Ford Jr. (born November 19, 1995) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, earning Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2017. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Early life Kaylon Ford was given his nickname (which is unrelated to the city of Poona in India) by his grandmother, Cynthia Ford Williams. When he was an infant of just 2 months old, she called him "Pooh Bear", after Winnie the Pooh. When he outgrew that particular nickname in grade school, she morphed it into "Poona", and the new nickname stuck.

Ford attended Hilton Head Island High School. He initially committed to the University of Louisville but changed his commitment when coach Charlie Strong left Louisville to take the head coaching job at the University of Texas.

College career Ford attended the University of Texas and played for the Longhorns from 2014 to 2017. In his freshman year Ford played in 7 games and had 9 total tackles and 1 tackle for loss. He improved in his sophomore year tallying a total of 39 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 10 games. In his junior year he had a college career high 54 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss through 12 games. In his senior year, Ford had his best year as he racked up a total of 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, earning him the Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year award.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks Ford signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft. He made the Seahawks' 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears. He made his first NFL start in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers. He appeared in 11 games in his rookie season. He finished with 21 total tackles (13 solo, 8 combined). In the 2020 season, Ford started in all 16 games. He finished with two sacks, 40 total tackles, and one forced fumble.

The Seahawks placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Ford on March 17, 2021. The Seahawks later signed him to a two-year contract extension. In the 2021 season, Ford started in all 17 games. He finished with two sacks, 53 total tackles, and one pass defensed. In the 2022 season, Ford started in all 17 games. He finished with three sacks, 35 total tackles, and two passes defensed.

Buffalo Bills On May 2, 2023, Ford signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He finished the 2023 season with one sack in eight games.

Los Angeles Chargers On March 16, 2024, Ford signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was named a starter to begin the year, and finished the season starting all 17 games while recording 39 tackles, three sacks, five pass deflections and one interception.

Los Angeles Rams On March 13, 2025, Ford signed a three-year, $27.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He played in 17 games, starting in 10, and recorded 47 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. Ford, who had worn No. 95 during the 2025 season, agreed to switch to No. 97 (which had been his number while playing for Seattle) for 2026 following the Rams' acquisition of defensive end Myles Garrett.

NFL career statistics Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions 2018 SEA 11 1 21 13 8 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 SEA 15 14 32 21 11 0.5 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2020 SEA 16 16 40 25 15 2.0 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021 SEA 17 17 53 23 30 2.0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2022 SEA 17 16 35 22 13 3.0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2023 BUF 8 0 9 5 4 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 LAC 17 17 39 24 15 3.0 8 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 5 2025 LAR 17 10 47 19 18 2.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Career 118 91 276 152 124 13.5 41 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 10

Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions 2018 SEA 1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 SEA 2 2 6 5 1 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 SEA 1 1 4 3 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 SEA 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 LAC 1 1 3 3 0 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 LAR 3 1 7 4 3 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 9 6 22 17 5 1.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0