Terrance Ferguson is headed to Los Angeles.
The former Oregon tight end was selected by the LA Rams with the No. 46 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night.
Ferguson is the first Ducks tight end drafted since 2012 (David Paulson, No. 240 overall to Pittsburgh Steelers) and the 11th in program history. It’s the highest selection for an Oregon tight end since Russ Francis went No. 16 overall in the third round to the New England Patriots in 1975.
“I’ve met with a lot of those guys who have been drafted and they’ve kind of paved the road for the Oregon tight end,” Ferguson said. “There’s a lot of guys in the league that are Oregon tight ends. I take pride in coming from Oregon and going to that school. I poured four years into it and Oregon poured right back into me. Being able to put on for the school means a lot.”
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His four-year contract is projected to be worth $9,713,462 with a $3,704,336 signing bonus, according to OverTheCap.com.
Ferguson had 43 receptions for a career-high 591 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season for the Ducks.
“I think I bring a lot of things, versatility as being the biggest,” Ferguson said Friday night. “Being able to stretch the field, create mismatches with linebackers or safeties, but also be able to put my nose on somebody. I think the God-gifted ability, but also the versatility and ability to be able to line up anywhere and be able to make an impact however I need to.”
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He is the third Oregon player selected in this year’s draft, joining defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers) and offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (No. 29, Washington Commanders).
Ferguson had the best performance in the physical tests among tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine and received an athleticism score of 83 from NFL Next Gen Stats, second among tight ends.
His 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 39-inch vertical jump were both best among tight ends and his 10-foot-2 broad jump was third among 14 tight ends to jump. Ferguson’s 40 time tied for 16th among all tight ends to run at the combine since 2019 and his vertical was fifth among tight ends in that span.
A four-star recruit ranked No. 215 overall and No. 9 among tight ends in 2021, Ferguson went on to become Oregon’s all-time leader in receptions (134) and receiving touchdowns (16) among tight ends and second all-time in receiving yards (1,537). He believes he “reset the standard” at the position for the Ducks.
“I think coach (Dan) Lanning poured so much into me,” Ferguson said. “I think just one is hard work. We got down and dirty every week and practiced super hard. He demanded a lot out of me. Everything that he’s taught me with that and with the practice schedule, but also being a coach that we did so much on offense and having to learn so much. I think he’s just improved my career from that standpoint. Then just what Oregon’s about, winning. It’s about winning. It’s about the culture that he’s built up there. I think that translates anywhere.”
— James Crepea covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.
