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Mike Norvell had a two-word message to Alabama transfer offensive lineman TJ Ferguson when he committed to Florida State.
“I’m here.”
Despite rumors swirling of the FSU head coach being tied to the Alabama job following the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban, Norvell affirmed to Ferguson he’d be sticking around on Jan. 11 when the redshirt sophomore committed to the Seminoles in the transfer portal.
The next day, Norvell inked an 8-year extension which reportedly pays him over $10 million a year.
Ferguson played in five games for Alabama this season, playing 116 total snaps. He made one start, against South Florida, early in the season.
Norvell and his coaching staff recruited Ferguson out of Peach County High in Fort Valley, Georgia. However, Ferguson was far along in his process, so FSU did not have the same opportunity to land him.
But the relationships built then paved the road for him to join them now.
“I definitely say that played a major role in my decision,” Ferguson said at a newcomer availability Tuesday. “Coach Norvell and his staff actually got to FSU towards my senior year of high school, so it was a little late in my high school recruiting.
“In the few months that he was there before I decided to commit and go off to college, I made a great relationship with him and the staff. So I feel like it might not have been the right time then. But that played a big role in why I’m here now. I feel like it’s the right time now.”
Norvell and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins like to use a lot of “counter” in the run game, where a running play starts in one direction but ends in the other direction.
That was something that Ferguson saw himself as a perfect fit in.
Alabama offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson II (69) takes a break during practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/im-mike-norvells-message-tj-230006994.html
Author : Tallahassee Democrat
Publish date : 2024-01-30 23:00:06
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