#3 Taurean Ferguson

2017
After missing four early-season games, Ferguson served as the Commodores’ primary nickel back… Earned six starts in secondary and participated in eight games as a fifth-year defender… Finished the season with 23 solo tackles, 29 total tackles, an interception, two tackles for loss and three defensed passes… Matched career-high with eight tackles in first appearance at Florida… Had six solo tackles, including two resulting in minus yardage at Ole Miss… Fourth-quarter interception against Tennessee eventually resulted in closing touchdown in Commodores’ season-finale victory… Concluded career with 97 solo tackles, 124 total tackles, four interceptions, 16 defensed passes, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

2016
Ferguson enjoyed his best season as a Commodore, posting career highs in numerous categories… Ferguson played in all every games, making nine starts as the team’s primary nickel defensive back… Finished the year with 52 total tackles, 38 solo stops, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, six defensed passes and an interception… Contributed at least two tackles in 11 games… Set a single-game high with seven total tackles — and returned a fumble for 22-yard touchdown — against Kentucky… Posted eight solo stops in late-season win over Ole Miss… Interception came at Georgia Tech… Registered forced fumbles against Western Kentucky and Missouri.

2015
Ferguson served as a cornerback in 11 of 12 games in third year on campus, missing the Kentucky encounter… Earned a start in secondary against Florida… Finished the season with 13 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, and four pass breakups… Registered four solo tackles at Ole Miss… Contributed three tackles in victory over Missouri.

2014
Ferguson became a key starter in the Commodore defensive secondary in his first varsity season… Participated as a cornerback and on special teams in all 12 games… Earned starting assignments at cornerback in the team’s final six games… First career start came against Charleston Southern… Ended the season sharing the team lead with two interceptions… Also contributed 25 solo tackles, 30 total tackles, four defensed passes and 1.5 tackles for loss… Virtually all of Ferguson’s production came after he entered the starting lineup… Garnered an interception and four tackles in initial start… Also had pick in victory over Old Dominion… Posted season high of five solo tackles vs. Tennessee… Registered six total tackles vs. Mississippi State.

2013
Did not see action as a true freshman… Impressed staff with coverage abilities and athleticism as a practice squad cornerback.

High School
Senior captain… Four-year starter in secondary school south of Atlanta… Also started two years at WR… As senior, contributed five INTs and eight pass breakups for 9-2 squad that advanced to first round of AAAA playoffs… As senior WR, posted 36 catches for 498 yards and eight TDs… Earned honorable mention All-State in 2012, and played in two postseason games, International Bowl and Georgia East-West All-Star Game… As junior, contributed four INTs, 60 catches, 734 receiving yards and six TDs… Standout hurdler in track.

Personal
Taurean Armaud Ferguson… Majoring in Sociology and Human and Organizational Development… Son of Deonte and Crystal Burden… Born Nov. 23, 1994… Has three brothers: Chuntney, Chris and William… Dad is an accountant; mom is a flight attendant… Has worked as baseball umpire and football referee in hometown youth leagues.

Career Highs
Total Tackles: 8, (2x) last at Florida, 9/30/2017
Solo Tackles: 8, vs. Ole Miss, 11/19/2016
Interceptions: 1, (4x) last at Tennessee, 11/25/2017
Break Ups: 2, (2x) last vs. Middle Tennessee, 9/10/2016