The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/262939
After enrolling early at Michigan, Ferns is ready to return to full health and make an impact on the field as a freshman in Ann Arbor. His physical talents speak for themselves, and the camaraderie he's already built with his classmates and teammates should see him put together an extremely successful career as a Wolverine. — Tim Sullivan PERSONAL Michael Dale Ferns III was born Sept. 24, 1995 … Sports a max bench press of 325 pounds … Will be the first Wolverine from St. Clairsville High School … Father, Mike Jr., played football at Division III Bethany College in West Virginia … Enrolled at Michigan this January and will be able to participate in spring practice. STATISTICS Career Totals: Four-year starter at linebacker and three-year starter at tight end/fullback for teams that went 41-8 during his career … Notched 424 total tackles with seven for loss including four sacks … Forced four turnovers dur- ing his career … Rushed 68 times for 701 yards (10.3 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns … Caught 27 passes for 465 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. Senior Season: Starter at linebacker and tight end/fullback before injuring his shoulder in week five, and then missing the remainder of the season for a 9-2 team that lost in the first round of the Division 5 state playoffs … Made 72 total tackles with three for loss … Broke up two passes, hurried the quarterback twice, and forced two fumbles … Named AP Special Mention All-Ohio Division 5 on defense. Junior Season: Starter at linebacker and tight end/fullback for a 14-1 team that lost in the Division 4 state championship game to Clinton-Massie High School … Limited due to a lacerated index finger and dislocated kneecap … Recorded 99 tackles with one sack … Rushed 37 times for 260 yards (7.0 yards per carry) and three touchdowns … Caught 10 passes for 198 yards (19.8 yards per catch) and four touchdowns … Named first-team AP Division 4 All-State on defense … Selected to the JJHuddle All-Ohio (all divisions) third team at linebacker. Sophomore Season: Starter at linebacker and tight end/fullback for a 10-2 team that lost in the second round of the Division 4 state playoffs … Recorded MICHAEL FERNS INSIDE LINEBACKER 6-3 • 235 ST. CLAIRSVILLE HS ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 211 14 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 129 7 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 158 6 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 179 8 9