DBrickashaw Ferguson Names Final Three

If there’s one thing D’Brickashaw Ferguson had going into the recruiting process, it was the coolest name of any senior football player in the country.

Nobody forgets the name, D’Brickashaw, a name his father chose as a tribute to Ralph De Bricassart, a character in the novel, “The Thorn Birds” by Colleen McCullough.

But Ferguson’s opponents don’t forget him either, and it has nothing to do with his name. After becoming a dominant offensive/defensive tackle at Freeport (N.Y.) High School over the past couple of seasons, opponents have learned they better come prepared for the 6-5, 250-pounder.

“This year has been a little different,” Ferguson said. “I’m more of a known player, and certain teams strategize against me. I am getting more cut blocks, or maybe they run plays opposite ways, or on offense the defender lining up against me will show different looks than they have in the past.”

So far it hasn’t made a difference. The player known as “Brick” has helped lead his team to a 9-0 record this season. He hopes to finish his career with a state championship, then make official visits to his three finalists.

Ferguson has trips set up to Virginia Dec. 7 and Michigan State Dec. 14, and he wants to set up a trip to Madison with his recruiting contact, Todd Bradford.

An avid fan of Big Ten football, Ferguson’s ears popped up when he heard how well Jerone Pettus was doing at Wisconsin.

“When I found out that one of my friends, Jerone Pettus went to (UW), it sparked the interest,” Ferguson said. “I mean we’re not really close friends or anything, but it was somebody I know. I was like, `Wow, he’s really doing something.’ It wasn’t that he just went to school somewhere, but he’s really doing something. From there I took an interest in the school.”

Ferguson said he’s giddy just to have the opportunity to play at the next level. He’s always dreamed of playing college football, but he never thought that was a realistic objective.

“It was a big surprise. I always wanted to be a big-time athlete, but I didn’t expect to be,” Ferguson said. “I always had the aspiration that I would love to be that football player, but it was a big surprise and a wonderful experience.”

Ferguson said he’s not the most physically-gifted lineman college programs will come across. But one thing he prides himself on is never getting outplayed or outhustled.

“One of my big strengths is my desire to be the best,” Ferguson said. “Even though I might not be the best, or even in that area, I just try my best, with determination and heart. I think those are the major things that have gotten me by.”

Wisconsin is recruiting Ferguson as an offensive tackle, but he loves playing defense and would be willing to play anywhere the Badgers see fit. Ferguson wants to study accounting and finance in college, and eventually become a sports agent.

He said academic factors were instrumental in eliminating many of the schools that offered him scholarships, and his three finalists have everything he wants in a school.

“I’m planning on making my decision after I’ve taken all my visits,” Ferguson said. “It will just be a feeling I get, telling me it’s the right school. I’ll just see if this is where I really want to go, the type of atmosphere I want to be at, the type of school I feel I can develop and somewhere I want to be.”