Nick Saban views Terrence Ferguson as a starter along Alabama offensive line

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Competition continues for the left side of Alabama’s offensive line as the Crimson Tide gets ready for its first preseason scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 12. Four players are still battling for the left tackle and left guard positions as Alabama donned pads for the first time Wednesday, and one of the contenders, Terrence Ferguson, earned his coach’s praise.

“Terrence Ferguson is playing really, really well,” Nick Saban said Wednesday. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s always been very explosive and had explosive power and body quickness. And he’s very confident in what he’s doing. We’re playing him at center some, too, which he’s done a good job of that.

“He’s showing a lot of maturity, and I look at him as a starter on our team. I think we have six or seven guys who may be starters, so we’re seeing what the best combination is as we go through camp.”

Through the first six days of practice, Ferguson has worked primarily at left guard, although, as Saban pointed out, he has also received a look at center behind Seth McLaughlin and Darrian Dalcourt. At Saturday’s open practice, Ferguson opened the workout at Bryant-Denny Stadium at left guard with the first offensive line, ahead of Dalcourt, backing up Saban’s claims.

The 6-foot-4, 318-pound lineman is entering his third season at Alabama but is poised to take on a much larger role. He played in one game in 2021, redshirting at the end of the year, and then five contests last season, serving as a reserve guard against Utah State, ULM, Vanderbilt and Austin Peay during the regular season, as well as Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

After the spring and summer, Ferguson appears to have made steady progress in Year 3.

“Ferg has grown so much,” right guard Tyler Booker said. “You guys call him TJ Ferguson. Coach calls him TJ. We call him Ferg. That’s Ferg to us. Ferg has grown so much. He just flipped a switch, you know? He really brought me up last year. I played a lot last year. He didn’t get to play last year, and I think that really lit a fire under him.

“He sees the opportunity and saw that, if you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do on a day-to-day basis, you’re going to play and you’re going to get what you deserve. His mindset has completely changed. He’s ready to play.”

Ferguson already has his degree from UA

The redshirt sophomore offensive lineman was one of three current Crimson Tide players that earned their degrees from Alabama over the weekend, joining running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams. Those two are now seniors, however, and Ferguson was able to wrap up his undergraduate degree before the start of his redshirt sophomore football season.

“It’s very impressive,” Booker said. “That’s one thing I took from Ferg once I got to the University of Alabama. He was great at time management. He always made sure he was getting his work done, whether it be here before practice or at the academic building. He was always getting his work done. I’m very happy for Ferg, because now, the classes he’ll take will be more online, so now he’ll have time to really focus on recovery and be ready for the following week. I’m very proud of Ferg.”

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