Blake Ferguson

Position:
Punter/Place-Kicker
Height:
6-0
Weight:
170
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Broken Arrow, Okla.
High School:
Bixby

Started at punter most of last season and is expected to be the opening day starter vs. Oklahoma, where his brother, Jeff, is an all-conference punter • Has good leg strength, but needs to be more consistent.

2000 • Freshman Season
Did not start the season opener vs. Tulsa, but was elevated to the starting position for the next four games • Was moved to a backup role following the Georgia Tech game • Two games later, he regained the starting position when John Lafferty developed mononucleosis • Punted 40 times for 1,475 yards, an average of 36.9 yards per kick • Five of those kicks were for at least 50 yards or more • Booted a 61-yard punt from deep in UNC territory in his first college contest vs. Tulsa • Also had a 51-yard punt in that game • Had a season-high eight punts in Carolina's 20-17 win at Pittsburgh • Averaged 42.5 yards per punt in UNC's 35-14 win at Wake Forest.

Bixby High School
Played for Coach Pat McGrew at Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla. • Earned first-team all-state and all-metro team honors at punter by the Tulsa World • Named second-team all-state as a place-kicker by the Daily Oklahoman • Was an all-district selection at both positions • Made eight field goals as a senior, including five of 40 yards or more • Made field goals from 57 and 51 yards • Averaged 42 yards on 37 punts • Downed 11 punts inside the 20-yard line and five inside the 5 • Also started at wide receiver and cornerback • Had 23 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns and 27 tackles, two interceptions and caused one fumble • Earned all-conference honors in golf as a junior and senior • Was second in the conference golf tournament in 2000 and qualified for the state tournament • Twice received academic letter awards in honor of outstanding academic achievements.

Personal
Born Blake Brian Ferguson on May 19, 1981 • His brother, Jeff, is a senior at the University of Oklahoma and is the Sooners' starting punter • Enjoys playing sports and going to the beach • Dream vacation is to go to Australia • Favorite movie is Gladiator • Favorite food is steak • Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan • Favorite NFL team as a kid was the Minnesota Vikings • Favorite former Carolina player is Lawrence Taylor • Greatest moment in athletics was his first punt at UNC, a 52-yarder vs. Tulsa • Highlight of the offseason was improving his bench press by 40 pounds • Goal is to earn All-ACC honors.