Ferguson looking to excel in the CFL

It has been over a year since Bahamian football player Chris Ferguson has played competitive football. Now, he is looking to elevate his game and excel in the Canadian Football League (CFL) this upcoming season.

Ferguson was drafted 27th overall in the CFL Global Draft by the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday, April 15. He wants to go there and leave his mark as one of the best offensive line (O-Line) players in the league.

“My plan for Ottawa is go out there from early and put my foot in the door because I am trying to cement myself in a starting role. I am here to play football and fight for a spot and be a starter. Anything less would be disappointing for me,” he said. “My goal right now is to be the best O-Line player in the league. I am working hard toward that every day. I am staying in shape, running my miles, lifting heavy and trying hard to get ready.”

This opportunity came along after the Bahamian was not drafted in the National Football League (NFL) Draft last year. He said he was relieved to have received an opportunity to line up and protect a quarterback again. Ferguson sees this route as a good opportunity to be seen on tape by teams in the NFL.

“I just want to play ball again. The NFL was my goal but just to get an opportunity to play some football at the pro league level just under the NFL will be good for me. I just don’t want to be sitting around not playing ball for another year. This is a good opportunity,” Ferguson stated. “The process was very long. CFL teams were in contact with me from last year but the NFL was the focus and with COVID and everything, that opportunity got away. I am excited to be in the CFL. Most of the teams from last year came back and said they wanted me. I was happy to get the 

opportunity.”

Ferguson said he is excited to work with experienced offensive line coach Bob Wylie who has worked for NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I programs, and in the NFL and CFL over the past 20 years. The offensive linesman feels that Wylie can take his game to the next level. The Redblacks’ top brass has been in contact with Ferguson, and along with the fans, have already shown him some love.

The former University of Cincinnati Bearcats captain was one of 36 international players to be drafted from 18 countries in the CFL Global Draft. He was the only Bahamian to be drafted, but is of the belief that there are more Bahamians who can play football professionally.

“I had no clue that it was this many countries playing football,” Ferguson said. “It got me thinking, why it cannot be more than one player from The Bahamas? Why can’t we do that in The Bahamas? We have the athletes. All we need is persons to come together and help out the youth and it will be good for the country. The CFL is opening a new door for international players to play at the pro level without having to go to a major division one college.”

The Redblacks finished the 2019 CFL regular season with a 3-15 win/loss, fourth in the East Division. The 2021 CFL campaign gets underway on May 23 with preseason games. The first preseason game for the Redblacks will be a matchup against the Montreal Alouettes, set for Friday May 28, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Ferguson is preparing to head to camp soon. He said that he is getting into a football state of mind. The laser-focused player is determined to achieve his goal of being the best offensive linesman in the league and helping his team be victorious.

Instead of being idle after he wasn’t drafted in last year’s NFL Draft, Ferguson said he kept himself busy and motivated by working out and staying in shape throughout the year.

“I started working out and running a lot more. I found some hobbies to do, too. I am a person where if something does not go right in life, I am not going to quit and cry about it, I move on. When you are blessed and highly favored, things always come full circle. I cannot cry over spilled milk. I have to keep moving on,” Ferguson said. “It was a disappointment not making it to the NFL. That is my motivation to get in the door, being denied – that is still my motivation. I am still hungry and starving for it. Anyone who lines up 

opposite me, we are going to have a great fight because they are going to get everything that I got every snap.”

Ferguson was a four-year player for the Bearcats in the NCAA Division I, helping them to achieve back-to-back seasons with an 11-3 win/loss record, including two 6-0 homestands. They also won two straight bowl games, and finished Ferguson’s senior season at number 23 in the Associated Press’ (AP) Top 25 poll.

On the offensive line, Ferguson has played left tackle, left guard, and right tackle.

He still hopes to get a call from the NFL, and with him playing in Canada, he will have more professional film to show teams – making it harder for them to deny him. For now, Ferguson said he is grateful to have an opportunity to play competitively on the gridiron once more.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/ferguson-looking-to-excel-in-the-cfl/