Ferguson Completes Unique Athletic/Academic Triple

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May 20, 2006

Charlottesville, VA – Former Virginia offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson is one of just seven Division I players to pull off a unique Athletic/Academic Triple this academic year. He is among a select group of players to be chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft, be selected a first-team All-American by at least one of the five major services, and earn his undergraduate degree during the 2005-06 academic year.

A native of Freeport, N.Y., Ferguson will take part in the University’s graduation ceremonies Sunday. He managed to complete his undergraduate degree in religious studies in just three and one-half years.

Ferguson was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2005 and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Trophy. He was Virginia’s 24th first-team All-American. Ferguson anchored the Virginia offensive line that helped the Cavaliers to a 7-5 record and the Music City Bowl Championship.

In April, Ferguson was a first-round draft selection of the New York Jets, the fourth pick of the entire draft. He was the highest UVa player taken in the draft since Bill Dudley was the No. 1 selection in by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942

The other student-athletes to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, earn first-team All-American honors by at least one of the five major services (AP, Walter Camp, Football Writers, Football Coaches, Sporting News) and earn an undergraduate degree are Tye Hill of Clemson, Tamba Hali of Penn State, Matt Leinart of Southern California, A.J. Hawk of Ohio State, Michael Huff of Texas and Mathias Kiwanuka of Boston College.

Athletic/Academic Triple

Player                 School        Pos   NFL Team           Pick

D’Brickashaw Ferguson Virginia OT NY Jets 4Tamba Hali Penn State DE Kansas City Chiefs 20A.J. Hawk Ohio State LB Green Bay Packers 5Tye Hill Clemson CB St. Louis 15Michael Huff Texas SS Oakland Raiders 7Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College DE NY Giants 32Matt Leinart USC QB Arizona Cardinals 10

Note: Players above were a first-round draft choice, first-team All-American by at least one service and earned a college degree.