Former Trojan making his mark at Air Force

<p>During his 20-year stint coaching Center Grove football, Eric Moore has mentored his fair share of college prospects. Parker Ferguson likely ranks among the best of them.</p><p>Moore has also forgotten more football than most people ever learn — which is why he was able to forecast Ferguson’s future more clearly than Ferguson himself could.</p><p>&quot;Coach Moore always told me that in college I’d play O-line,&quot; Ferguson said. &quot;I didn’t really listen, but he was right.&quot;</p><p>A tight end turned All-State defensive lineman during his years with the Trojans, Ferguson was recruited by the Air Force Academy as an offensive tackle. Despite playing few, if any, snaps at that position in high school, Ferguson has flourished.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>He watched from the sideline as a freshman, focusing his energy on learning his new position and adding size and strength in the weight room, but Ferguson blossomed during his sophomore season last fall, starting 10 games at left tackle and becoming one of the driving forces behind one of the top rushing offenses in the country.</p><p>&quot;He earned it,&quot; Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. &quot;We just got to a point where, clearly, he was one of our two best tackles and needed to be on the field.&quot;</p><p>The Falcons ranked third nationally on the ground in 2018, averaging 283.5 yards. They were also one of the least penalized teams in college football, getting flagged just 54 times in 12 games.</p><p>Ferguson worked hard to become part of such a decorated unit. During his redshirt season, he soaked up as much information as he could about his new position from coaches and upperclassmen, and he devoted himself to making constant improvements physically.</p><p>&quot;The main thing I focused on was athleticism,&quot; Ferguson said of his freshman year. &quot;Coaches can teach me form, but they can’t make me athletic.&quot;</p><p>Though he battled injuries for much of his high school career, Ferguson’s athleticism was on full display as he helped lead the Trojans to the Class 6A state final during his senior season — most notably in the sectional title game at Columbus North when he picked off a Bull Dog pass with one hand and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.</p><p>His defensive days behind him, Ferguson is focused on becoming a dominating presence on the offensive front. He’s slimmed down a bit, saying he plans to stay somewhere between 285 and 300 pounds this season after playing at 307 last fall.</p><p>In addition, he spent some time this past spring working out with former Air Force lineman Ben Garland, who is entering his 10th NFL season.</p><p>Ferguson said that playing professionally wasn’t really on his radar screen as a freshman, but a strong sophomore season has him thinking big again.</p><p>&quot;That’s always been my dream, ever since I was in Bantam,&quot; he said. &quot;After starting as a sophomore and going into my junior year, it feels more like a real possibility.&quot;</p><p>True to form, though, Ferguson isn’t banking on an NFL future. He’s majoring in legal studies, with plans to one day attend law school and become a JAG Corps attorney in the Air Force.</p><p>The same work ethic that has helped Ferguson excel in the classroom has also helped him quickly become one of Calhoun’s favorites on the gridiron, and the coach foresees good things for the former Trojan this season and beyond.</p><p>&quot;He’s going to keep growing and developing and improving as he moves forward because of the commitment he makes,&quot; the coach said.</p><p>&quot;Guys like that are contagious.&quot;</p>