Class of 2021 OG TJ Ferguson (GA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/30/25)

[phil77]

It means he played for a bad team

Bad team and bad coaching. The offensive line coach at Florida State was fired as well. Coaching matters, and we should know that all too well here at Syracuse.

 

[CbusCuse]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. There are too many college games for them to watch to dedicate appropriate time to grading.

There is far too much variance between graders to put any significant stock into the grades.

I watch a lot of college ball and some of the numbers are non-sensical.

Come on now. One game maybe. So you are saying for an entire season of games they got his wrong so much more than everyone else's grades in comparison? I only put so much faith in those but that seems ridiculous to just discount it all together.

 

[Toga]

Remember not so long ago when we'd be satisfied signing 260 lb. linemen who with proper strength and conditioning could get up to 280 by their Junior year? That was adorable.

 

[CbusCuse]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. There are too many college games for them to watch to dedicate appropriate time to grading.

There is far too much variance between graders to put any significant stock into the grades.

I watch a lot of college ball and some of the numbers are non-sensical.

And you and some others are discounting this grade completely as it means nothing because the FSU team was a S*** show. You know how a team usually turns from a good team into an absolutely terrible one. When you have the combination poor QB play and the OL sucks. Think of our last Devito season. Well he was part of that OL and the grade seems to make sense to me. Especially coupled with the fans views of him.

Now Its possible a good deal of his issues were due to injury though. But who knows if that is true. I just don't see him being more than a back-up.

 

[kingtidge]

In the last couple days Fran has delivered the OL portal haul I’ve dreamt of since they invented the portal.

 

[CbusCuse]

If only there was a way for the staff to watch tape of a player - who played in the same league that they play in - and grade the player for themselves. I'm sure they have a decent feel for what they are getting and not getting in Ferguson. They are adding his size and athletic traits to the OL room to increase the competition and with the hopes that they can coach him up. Risk-reward transaction. If he doesn't work out, both parties will move on.

I agree with this. My guess is they reviewed his film and it wasn't great. But they are banking on part of that being due to his injuries and they are hoping he can be a depth piece with a bit higher upside if healthy. Not everyone we bring in is a starter and i'm just trying to point that out.

The rating I don't have any faith in is the 247 4 star 90 transfer rating. It makes no sense. I'm guessing that was his transfer rating from when he left Alabama in 2024 to go to FSU and it hasn't been updated. He has done nothing on the field to give him a 90 rating with one year to play. I'm just saying I think people should temper expectations here on this one.

 

[RF2044]

And you and others are discounting this grade as it means nothing because the FSU team was a S*** show. You know how a team usually turns from a good team into an absolutely terrible one. When you have the combination poor QB play and the OL sucks. Thin of our last Devito season. Well he was part of that OL and the grade seems to make sense to me. Especially coupled with the fans views of him.

Now Its possible a good deal of his issues were due to injury though. But who knows if that is true. I just don't see him being more than a back-up.

I don't discount PFF grades -- they are a massive cause for concern.

However, I do think their entire team quit on the coaching staff. Dysfunction abounded. Going through the motions is how you take a double digit team the year before and turn it into a loser.

I'm not absolving Ferguson, I just think that the entire team went through the motions. And he was injured for part of the year, which also affected his performance. And FSU fans are imbeciles, so they can lay blame wherever they want to, but I'm guessing that it is rationalized.

Kid was a highly rated transfer. There's a reason for that. Change of scenery will be what the doctor ordered for this prospect.

 

[tep624]

I don't discount PFF grades -- they are a massive cause for concern.

However, I do think their entire team quit on the coaching staff. Dysfunction abounded. Going through the motions is how you take a double digit team the year before and turn it into a loser.

I'm not absolving Ferguson, I just think that the entire team went through the motions. And he was injured for part of the year, which also affected his performance. And FSU fans are imbeciles, so they can lay blame wherever they want to, but I'm guessing that it is rationalized.

Kid was a highly rated transfer. There's a reason for that. Change of scenery will be what the doctor ordered for this prospect.

Don't disagree, however we have a very good DL pool, veteran heavy and they'll put him to the test. They'll put all of these new faces to the test.

 

[RF2044]

Don't disagree, however we have a very good DL pool, veteran heavy and they'll put him to the test. They'll put all of these new faces to the test.

Iron sharpens iron.

Best way to get an OL to perform at a high level on game day is to have them practice against a high quality DL.

 

[CbusCuse]

I don't discount PFF grades -- they are a massive cause for concern.

However, I do think their entire team quit on the coaching staff. Dysfunction abounded. Going through the motions is how you take a double digit team the year before and turn it into a loser.

I'm not absolving Ferguson, I just think that the entire team went through the motions. And he was injured for part of the year, which also affected his performance. And FSU fans are imbeciles, so they can lay blame wherever they want to, but I'm guessing that it is rationalized.

Kid was a highly rated transfer. There's a reason for that. Change of scenery will be what the doctor ordered for this prospect.

Fair. But weather the whole team quit or not, the PFF grade was an individual grade. As a 4th year player, If you can't motivate yourself to play better than a PFF 42.6 that is a major red flag. I'm hoping his play was largely due to injury and he can be a valuable back-up. And hopefully he is adequate at Center as can surely use some help there.

 

[bnoro]

Fair. But weather the whole team quit or not, the PFF grade was an individual grade. As a 4th year player, If you can't motivate yourself to play better than a PFF 42.6 that is a major red flag. I'm hoping his play was largely due to injury and he can be a valuable back-up. And hopefully he is adequate at Center as can surely use some help there.

But on the offensive line, who is on your left/right can impact how you play individually. OL is one position where you're never completely at fault.

 

[CuseFan]

I believe the actual term is Franta Claus.

I stand corrected! Franta Claus it is !

 

[baggerbob]

And you and some others are discounting this grade completely as it means nothing because the FSU team was a S*** show. You know how a team usually turns from a good team into an absolutely terrible one. When you have the combination poor QB play and the OL sucks. Think of our last Devito season. Well he was part of that OL and the grade seems to make sense to me. Especially coupled with the fans views of him.

Now Its possible a good deal of his issues were due to injury though. But who knows if that is true. I just don't see him being more than a back-up.

I trust our staff's evaluation a lot more then some computer geek running figures.
There is no way that these people can watch every game that is played in college each week. Plus not knowing what the blocking assignments are on each play means you are making a guess.
And that means at best you get 60%right, and probably a lot less.
Which means your evaluation is wrong.

 

[AngryOtto]

Ferguson is a one year player. FSU fans didn't like him at all. Per the 247 article below, "Ferguson played eight games for the Seminoles and made seven starts. He started the final three games of the season at left guard, but struggled with multiple injuries and inconsistent play. His PFF Grade of 42.6 was the lowest grade among all P4 offensive guards."

https://247sports.com/article/fsu-football-tj-ferguson-offensive-line-transfer-portal-249065104/

This kid is a depth piece for sure. PFF ratings aren't a perfect system and especially for OL, but in no way is he an average player on the OL. PFF grades aren't a team score. Its an individual performance score. Even if he is healthy now and his game picks up it seems very unlikely a rating that was the worst guard in the P4 turns into a decent starter on the OL.

Tom's post above mentioned that he played some Center. If that is the case, I'm guessing that is why the staff brought him in. For that versatility and Center experience. I could see him being the back-up Center. Really what other option do we have there behind Collins? We needed somebody for that spot.

And honestly if we get a serious injury at Center i'm guessing that Petry would likely slide in there and we move a Guard into the starting rotation.

I'm not expecting much from him but we needed Center depth. So I think the pickup makes sense.

Last year there was a knock on Washington when he came from Colorado. He turned out to be a good pickup. I like having players to compete on the Oline. Makes the entire unit better.

 

[CbusCuse]

Last year there was a knock on Washington when he came from Colorado. He turned out to be a good pickup. I like having players to compete on the Oline. Makes the entire unit better.

Agreed. I felt there was some issues at the beginning of the year with both Tackles, particularly the Stanford game with pass rush around the outside. That part of our Tackles games improved quite a bit as the year went on. But I do also think McCord and the offensive schemed adjust a lot where we tried to get rid of the ball much quicker after the Stanford game. Both the Washington and Spoon pick-ups were HUGE last year.

 

[CbusCuse]

I trust our staff's evaluation a lot more then some computer geek running figures.
There is no way that these people can watch every game that is played in college each week. Plus not knowing what the blocking assignments are on each play means you are making a guess.
And that means at best you get 60%right, and probably a lot less.
Which means your evaluation is wrong.

Agree, especially with our staffs evaluation of the Syracuse OL as they know exactly what each players responsibilities are. Probably less so when our staff is evaluating other teams film but I'm sure they have a much better idea than the PFF stat geeks. I'm not saying i don't agree with the staffs pick-up of Ferguson. I'm just saying i still think the PFF grades have some value and i would expect him to be a back-up on the 2025 SU squad. But hey, I really hope I'm wrong and maybe him getting fully healthy means a break out season for him.

 

[Chicago44s]

I’m copywriting “FRANDEMONIUM”

 

[cardiac]

Early (309 snaps) 79
Rizy (311) 72.8
Byers (531) 66.4
Smith (710) 63
Washington (620) 61.4
Ferguson (487) 42.6

FSU starting OL PFF grades.

 

[orangemass]

I’m copywriting “FRANDEMONIUM”

I’m grabbing “Frantastic”

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Anyone claim Supercalifranilisticexpialidocious?

 

[jgeorge322]

Early (309 snaps) 79
Rizy (311) 72.8
Byers (531) 66.4
Smith (710) 63
Washington (620) 61.4
Ferguson (487) 42.6

FSU starting OL PFF grades.

Ha that’s not good

 

[anomander]

Early (309 snaps) 79
Rizy (311) 72.8
Byers (531) 66.4
Smith (710) 63
Washington (620) 61.4
Ferguson (487) 42.6

FSU starting OL PFF grades.

Did he play OT? Is he more of IOL?

 

[Sdot]

Did he play OT? Is he more of IOL?

He played guard.