Rio Ferguson '21 Recruiting Profile

At the end of my junior year’s football season, I was voted team captain by my coaches and teammates, and honored with the team MVP for the second year in a row for my role as a running back and middle linebacker. I was selected for the Daily News Metro West, Division, and League All-Star teams.

This past year I was the rushing yard leader for Central Mass Division III with 1502 yards and as well as being in the top ten for tackles in the division with over 100 tackles.

I have competed in tennis, swimming, wrestling, and Olympic rifle. Although I enjoy other sports, my passion is football. Football has taught me teamwork, responsibility, and leadership. I started playing football in 8th grade because I wanted to be a part of a team, something bigger than just me. Every practice and game, I learn from my coaches, teammates, and competitors and use the lessons to improve for the next game.

In my freshman year, my biggest challenge was time management. Because of my focus on football, wrestling, rifle practice, and the travel associated with Olympic rifle competitions, my GPA was 3.20. I realize the importance of doing well in school and having the most options in my college selection. I have worked hard on how I spend my time this year, and my GPA for my junior year is 3.45.

I have several unique skills, such as my rifle marksmanship. At the junior Olympics, when I was 14, I won the national championship in 3 positions small bore and 2nd place in international air rifle in the 14 and under division. I am currently the Massachusetts state champion in 3-position Smallbore and 3-position air rifle. I will be competing in the National Junior Olympics. Shooting taught to focus, how to have an excellent mental attitude under pressure and the correlation between the effort you put into training/ preparation and the outcome. I learn quickly and am very teachable. I coached at my local shooting club, helping both new and more experienced competitors.