Ferguson signs contract to play football for SC State

Red Devil Ronell Ferguson is shown signing a scholarship contract to play football for South Carolina State. Pictured with the new Bulldog are: (front row, l-r) Ferguson's grandfather, Willie Ferguson; Larry Campbell, head football coach at LCHS; (back row) Dr. Becky Barden, LCHS principal; and Jason LeRoy.

Red Devil Ronell Ferguson has been awarded a scholarship to play defensive end for South Carolina State in Orangeburg.

Ferguson signed the scholarship contract with the Bulldogs in the LCHS Media Center in the presence of coaches, family members, administrators, and friends on National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 6.

"We're excited to have another player going to South Carolina State," said Larry Campbell, head football coach and athletic director at LCHS. "We've had numerous players to attend South Carolina State. One was Barney Bussey, who played professional ball and went on to play in the Super Bowl. Another was Charles Glaze, who also played in the NFLfor the Seattle Seahawks.

"Ronell is an all-state defensive tackle - he played on two state championship teams, and in my opinion, should help South Carolina State continue its winning tradition," the coach said. "My congratulations to Ronell and his family."

In closing, Coach Campbell thanked assistant coaches Howard Ellis and Kevin Banks for their help in getting Ferguson the scholarship.

"I'm very excited about the chance to play ball at South Carolina State," said Ferguson. "It's a good opportunity to work my way up to the next level. After college, I want to play for the NFLor get a rewarding job."

Another reason it is important for him to be successful off the field as well as on is he will be the first in his family to graduate from college.

In addition to thanking God for helping him get to this point in life, Ferguson likewise expressed his appreciation to the following for their support: his mother, Selisa Ferguson; his grandparents, Willie Ferguson and the late Virginia Ferguson; sisters, Pernisa and Telisa Ferguson; his cousins; Rev. Terry Bonds and Rev. Lanis Lewis, copastors of First Assembly of God; Jason LeRoy; Lamar LeRoy; Coach Ellis; Coach Banks; Henry Madden, assistant principal at LCHS; Vickie Jones; and Soyah Cummings.

During his senior year, the talented defensive tackle/defensive end led the team in tackles, amassing a total of 98 tackles, including 14 sacks and 43 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He is also credited with six fumble recoveries.

Recently, Ferguson was named the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's "North Class A Defensive Player of the Year."

Prior to the season, he was selected as one of The Augusta Chronicle's "2007 Dream Sixteen" and as a member of the Georgia High School Association's (GHSA) "Pre-Season All- State First Team."

Ferguson was likewise named the Red Devils' Most Valuable Defensive Lineman at last year's athletic awards ceremony.