Oklahoma State Star Tight End Josh Ford Shakes Up College Football with Sudden Transfer Portal Entry

Oklahoma State’s tight end Josh Ford has made a significant decision that’s shaking up the roster this season. After two seasons with the Cowboys, Ford is stepping back from action to take a redshirt and has plunged into the NCAA transfer portal. With 13 catches, 137 yards, and a couple of touchdowns under his belt, this move hints at a fresh chapter in his collegiate career — one he’s approached with plenty of thought and gratitude. As the Cowboys navigate the fallout from Mike Gundy’s departure, Ford’s exit isn’t an isolated incident; other players, including promising freshman defensive end Michael Riles, are also exploring new opportunities. The next few weeks could see even more shifts as the window for transfers narrows. For those following the evolving landscape of Oklahoma State football, these developments are definitely worth keeping an eye on. LEARN MORE

Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford has entered the NCAA transfer portal, sitting out the rest of the season with the Cowboys and taking a redshirt in the process. He announced his decision on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon and On3 confirmed shortly after that he is officially in the portal.

Ford has played for the Cowboys for the last two seasons. In that time he has racked up 13 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

“Cowboy family, Oklahoma State has been an incredible place and my home for the last two years,” Josh Ford wrote. “I’m beyond thankful for this program, this community, and everyone who’s helped me grow along the way.

“Thank you Coach Gundy for believing in me and Coach DJ for pushing me daily. To my brothers in the locker room; I’ll never forget the blood, sweat, and memories we shared.

“After a lot of prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. I’m trusting God’s plan and the next chapter He has for me.”

Josh Ford is not the only Oklahoma State player to announce plans to enter the transfer portal in recent days. Following the ouster of coach Mike Gundy, a number of others have.

Freshman DE Michael Riles to enter portal

Oklahoma State true freshman defensive end Michael Riles announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal roughly two weeks after the firing of longtime head coach Mike Gundy. Riles made the announcement with a Sunday night post on X/Twitter.

The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Riles will have four full seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining after not appearing in a game yet this season for the Cowboys. Riles was the fourth Oklahoma State defender to reveal plans to transfer since Gundy’s firing on Sept. 23.

According to NCAA rules, Oklahoma State student-athletes like Josh Ford and Michael Riles have 30 days from the date of the coaching change to enter the transfer portal, meaning more Cowboys players could still opt to transfer in the coming days and weeks before their personal portal window closes Oct. 24.

Riles is a three-star EDGE product of Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial, where he was the No. 53 EDGE, No. 80-ranked player out of Texas and the No. 559 player overall in the 2025 recruiting class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He picked the Cowboys over interest from Florida, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and UCF.

On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to this report.