Taurean Ferguson talks SEC offers

Taurean Ferguson received two big offers this past week. The first came from Vanderbilt on Tuesday for the 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback from Jonesboro High School in the Atlanta area. He was extended a second from Ole Miss on Saturday. The Peach State prospect talked in-depth of the news here...

"My offer from Vanderbilt was over the phone," said Taurean Ferguson. "I spoke with Coach Spencer and Coach Barlow when they called to offer me.

"It’s a program on the rise. They’ll be very good by the time I get there, if that’s where I choose to go. It’s a great academic school, but they’re getting on their feet on the athletic side. I’ve been to the school on an unofficial visit, but I want to go back for a more serious look."

Ferguson plays wide receiver and cornerback at Jonesboro. He said both SEC offers were for defensive back.

"My Dad got a message from Ole Miss about the offer, so I called Coach McGriff to confirm it with him," Ferguson said. "They’ve been busy, but I’m supposed to call and talk with the all of the coaches soon.

"I received two handwritten letters this week from Cincinnati and Iowa State. Coach Rusty Burns at TCU has been talking to me about coming in as an athlete and letting me choose wide receiver or cornerback. I’ve also heard from SMU, Northern Illinois, Texas-San Antonio, and Auburn."

Ferguson had two big performances this past season to help the Cardinals prevail in hard-fought region games. He returned a pick six 80 yards for a touchdown against rival Riverdale and tied the game late with a 64-yard fumble recovery for a score. Jonesboro won 31-30 in overtime. Ferguson had two picks in the Creekside game including one on the hail mary throw to cement the victory, 19-13.

"I had 60 receptions for 734 yards receiving with six touchdowns on the season," said Ferguson. "We had 15 interceptions as a team. I made six of those.

"When we played Creekside I got my first pick going against Joshua Hosley. My second pick was on a bomb going against a 6-foot-6 receiver.

"I feel like I can play man or off-man, I get good breaks on the ball, and I’m a good open-field tackler. I’m not afraid to go up and make a play for the ball with anybody regardless of how tall they are."

Ferguson has been busy this spring with track season. He runs the 110 and 300 meter hurdles for Jonesboro. Currently, he’s ranked second in the state in the 300 meter hurdles with a 38.58. He’s hoping to make more campus visits to get a better idea of which program he may commit to when the time comes.

"I’d like to make my decision before the beginning to the football season or at least by mid-season," Ferguson said.

"Education is important to me. I want to go to a college with a good Engineering school. I’d like to see early playing time. I am willing to redshirt as a freshman, but I know I’m going to be working my butt off so I want to get in next year. I just want to find a university to call home that will be my school forever."

Ferguson is the oldest of four brothers. His aunt, Shaunte Carter, played basketball at Savannah State.

The Jonesboro secondary should be stout next season with Ferguson at one cornerback spot and highly recruited Cam Sutton on the other side. A three-year starter since his freshman year, Ferguson wears No. 12 for the Cardinals who went 10-2 on the 2011 season.