4-Star DT Poona Ford Commits to Louisville over South Carolina, Tennessee

Poona Ford, 4-star defensive tackle from Hilton Head Island, S.C., has decided to leave the state to play college football, committing to the red hot Louisville Cardinals over Tennessee and South Carolina.

GamecockCentral.com reported the commitment via Twitter: 

Ford is a huge commitment for Charlie Strong and the Cardinals, and his addition to their 2014 class gives Louisville 24 commitments in total. That's extremely impressive considering the 2013 season hasn't even kicked off yet.

Coming off a great season last year, the Cardinals have been riding a wave of momentum, and that's certainly translated onto the recruiting trail. Strong and his staff have been impressive, to say the least.

Ford checks in at 6'0'', 285 pounds and runs a 4.85 40, according to 247Sports. That's a great combination of size and speed, and it's exactly what you look for in a big-time defensive tackle.

Ford is big enough to hold his own at the line and even get a push back, and he'll be strong enough to fight off double-teams without losing gap responsibility. In Louisville's 4-3 defense, Ford won't be required to take responsibility of two gaps, but his strength and size will only help him.

His speed will also help him shoot the gap and get into the backfield. Speed is an underrated quality in regard to defensive linemen and Ford has enough of it to make a difference.

He could play 1-technique or 3-technique in the 4-3 defense.

Ford is the No. 22 defensive tackle in the 2014 class and the No. 8 player from South Carolina, both according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. 

Reaching into a state like South Carolina and coming away with this big of a commitment is no easy task, so this is a notable commitment for Strong and his staff. Three of the Cardinals now 24 commitments are from South Carolina.

Ford joins a group of defensive linemen that includes 3-star weak-side defensive ends Henry Famurewa and Rashawn Shaw and 3-star strong-side defensive end Terry Ramsey

Note: Star rankings via the 247Sports composite. Interests according to each recruit's respective 247Sports interest list.