Michael Ferguson Jr.," Catching Up & Breaking Out"

Michael Anthony Ferguson, Jr. has the look of a pro-athlete and the skills to match. You would never guess at first glance that this 25-year-old from Pocotaligo, South Carolina started pursuing the game of football as a career only a little over one year ago.  

“I wanted to start playing professionally, because I always loved playing the game. I just never got a shot at it.”

The first time that Ferguson ever played football was at his middle school in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. His position was Wide Receiver. He kept the same position throughout middle school. During his freshman year of high school he did not make the cut for the football team when he and his family relocated to Bluffton, SC. He held off on his pursuit of the sport to play basketball. He played basketball his entire high school career. Ferguson attempted to play football his senior year of high school, but got cut again.

As an adult Ferguson moved to Atlanta, GA, eventually making Marietta, GA his home. While living in Marietta, Ferguson was on the roster for the semi-pro team, Georgia Canes. However, he was the new kid on the block and failed to ever see any playing time.  “The coaches and everybody saw potential in me, but they never gave me a chance, never gave me a shot.” Ferguson said that they had their favorite veteran players to always receive play time, so he was never given his time to shine.

He describes his playing style as a streaky wide out. He likes to jump for the ball, doesn’t like short routes, he likes deep routes. He says that there is no other way to describe it.

His short-term goal is to play in the NFL in the next year. He would like to get his shot to let people know that there are athletes that can play at a certain level and people that can still play no matter their age. His long-term goal is to be retired at age 40 and open his own gym facility for mentally disabled senior citizens and athletes in rehabilitation for injuries.

Ferguson is the youngest of four with three older sisters. He is the first of his siblings to go to college. He plays Wide Receiver and would like to get a defensive shot at playing a Safety or a Corner. He wants his positions to be flexible when playing on the field.

Ferguson credits several people as his most important influences to him as a player. On his mentor Aaron Bush, “We talk about football, we talk about life and we pray over the phone. He is always encouraging me to be better and better in life.” Ferguson also notes his mother, Gloria McPherson, as another influence, saying that she has never steered him wrong. He says that she has influenced him by telling him to be a Godly man and to be better than her.

Ferguson says that the people who support his journey are his true family and friends. He includes his true family and friends as his mother and sisters: NaQuandra, Ny’kea, Nondrea, fiancé Caitlin Hunt, mentor Aaron Bush and best friend Brian Gadson. He says that his very small circle of people keep him focused and push him to be the best.

He considers his strengths on the field to be his speed and agility, hand-eye coordination; he knows how to run routes and is an all-around good team player. He says that he can improve on his footwork and adjusting to the defense.

Ferguson trains at least three to four times a week lifting, reviewing films, working on footwork and hand drills. He is constantly building himself to create gains and be better both physically and mentally. He gives a lot of credit to his trainer Alan Strong of Next Level Combines for helping him to physically transform into a beast.

"After two months of training, Ferguson packed on 25 pound of muscles while maintaining his speed and agility"

He says that he is ready to start playing and is ready to show the world that what he is doing can be done. He says that once you are the underdog and you are starving it makes you that much more hungry to compete in the game.

 

By, Caitlin Hunt

 

 

 

Da'ronte Smith "Making An Impact"

Da'ronte Smith "Making An Impact"
BY: NEXT LEVEL

Daronte Smith is an elite professional football player who has achieved many accomplishment during his playing career. In 2014, Smith signed a professional contract to play for the Criciuma Miners. With the professional transition from college to pros, Smith knew that he needed to gain weight. After training with Next Level, Smith Managed to gain 25 pounds of muscle and also improved his overall athleticism in preparation for going to Brazil.  

 
Smith lined up at multiple positions for the Miners, playing quarterback, running back, safety and also returned kicks for the. Smith was awarded the South Cup 2014 Best Defensive Player for his efforts.

After watching YouTube Videos of the Miners and Smith in action, Smith can be seen making big play after big play.  Smith managed to rack up a number of tackles, big hits, interceptions, and big plays for the 2014 season. Smith also played a role in the offense scheme late in the season.  Smith returned kicks in amazing fashion, dazzling opposing defenders with great power and speed.

 “I has always been a great tackler in college, but now I bring much more of an impact behind my hits.  My playing style in very different from college. I play both ways and return kicks, which helps my team with explosive plays.”

After traveling extensively in college, Smith eventually figured out overtime that he like touring different places. After researching professional football opportunities overseas, Smith knew instantly that was something that he wanted to do. Smith used websites such as europlayers.com and eurosportsscouting.com to network with football coaches and scouts.

 “The ability to tour the world and play the game you love is a once in a life opportunity that I could not pass up. You learn about yourself and what’s important to you. I really understand things in a whole new perspective. Just watching my career, I think that playing overseas has allow me to pursue something that I always wanted to do. I think it’s a dream come true and I may want to finish my career with the Miners.

As Smith Reflects on his journey, he knows that he made the right decision. Smith also managed to help Next Level Athlete, Bryce Wilson, find a spot on the Miner’s roster. With this in mind, Smith and the Miners looks to win the 2015 Championship.

“I’m playing the game I grew up playing my whole life in a beautiful country. The scenery is beautiful, there’s great people, and the food taste pretty good too. I must say life’s great.”

 

Sa’Quan Hicks, Driven by TALENT

Sa’Quan Hicks, Driven by TALENT

by: Jasmine Ng – Lead Journalist

“My goal is to continue to climb the professional football ladder. I want to play in the CFL and the NFL. Ultimately, I feel as though I have come very far for a player who attended a high school without a football team. – Sa’Quan Hicks”

Every man’s goal is to make it somehow in the sport that he loves. Everyone man’s journey is different. Growing up for Sa’Quan Hicks he played tackle football for the first time at the age of 8 for the Northwood Rams of the Pop Warner league. This is the first time he ever fell in love for the game. The first position he ever set play on was cornerback. His dad had told him he just looked like a natural in the cornerback position. With the Northwood Rams, he was blessed to have won numerous MVP awards in his early career. As he got to high school Hicks was looking for a team to play on. To his unfortunate events, football was nowhere to be found in his high school. Despite of that unfortunate event, he still trained and played regularly given his passion for the sport.

In the case of the mishaps of not having the chance, Hicks never doubted his abilities even that short slump of not able to stay on board with the Morgan State Bears. He had his head held high still and started to train for phase two of his career. Phase two of his career was to attend a few professional tryouts.  After his first professional indoor season, Hicks had the chance to attend the NFL Regional Combine at the Baltimore Ravens facility. NFL Network had selected five defensive backs. He was one of the five that were chosen to be interviewed after the combine. Hicks he stands tall at 5’10 and 181Ibs and has a 40 inch vertical leap. He never had the chance to play high school football, it never stopped Hicks to strive for more. He got accepted into playing a D-1AA university. Hicks had the privilege to walk on to the Morgan State Bears football team. Eventually he had to leave the Bears due to the lost of financial aid.

As a cornerback, Hicks is a very dangerous return man. He can play free safety as well. But he is a cornerback by nature. He can run a 4.43. Hicks playing style is real competitive. As a cornerback he owns every pass that comes in his direction. As an athlete everyone is quite competitive. His level of competitive is to the extreme level. His patience with the line of scrimmage and his rare ability to shadow the top receiver has drawn comparisons to Darrelle Revis.

As a cornerback, Hicks says; “It takes some real guts to come up and press every play. It says a lot when you can do it and take good players out of the game.”

Hicks competitiveness is a major strength for him. His work ethic, his will and his drive are key examples. He has a lot of heart too. As a playmaker, he is always willing to attack a big running back or shadow and track the dominate receiver throughout the duration of the game. His speed, quickness, leaping ability and ball skills are another major strength. On the field, Hicks has accomplished many things despite the difficult path and journey. Throughout his career he has recorded 9 interceptions in a single season before and stamped a ticket to several all-star teams in outdoor football.

Aside from football, Hicks is a certified personal trainer, sports nutritionist, certified weight loss professional and a varsity high school football coach. He trains athletes of all ages, adults and seniors ^th in 2013 to the 3^rd in 2014. Aside from football, Hicks ran track and wrestling at a high level. He won many awards between the three different sports. He also became a great basketball player and was voted as team captain numerous times and let the teams to championships.

who are looking to lose weight. Last season he coached the cornerbacks and they only allowed 4 passing touchdowns after allowing 9 in 2013. He improved their pass, defense from the 24

Hicks training regiment consists of four days a week in lifts and incorporating a bunch of other balance workouts. He trains on the field two to three days a week with several dedicated and former teammates. He has the privilege to train with his Technique and Defensive Back coaches. Hicks trains with the most respectable defensive back coaches known nationally, Joseph Lee Jr and Rich Garcia. 

The most memorable game for Hicks was recording 5 tackles, a forced fumble and 3 interceptions with 1 return for a touchdown. A 1 hand interception at the peak when he jumped over 100+ return yards against a 6’4 highly athletic receivers.  As for 2014, Hicks most memorable moment was when he played against the #1 ranked national champions in the last four years in outdoor football team in the country.  The Central Penn Piranha produces some of the best receivers in the country.  They had targeted him three times that game. Hicks didn’t have any catches allowed by them and he had one pass breakout throughout the game playing mirror, press coverage. It was a satisfactory accomplishment against such a great legendary team.

To keep himself on top of the game, Hicks would speak with NFL and CFL scouts as often as he could. They would ensure him that they would not communicate with an athlete that doesn’t show much talent. As an athlete he considers himself to stick out from the pack because he loves the challenges. He would love to shadow the best receivers at every play.

“Only the best can shadow effectively and that is what I am known for doing. I have the ability to play all 4 cornerback positions in outdoor football and all 3 defensive back positions in indoor football. I attack every single pass that comes my way. I have very good ball skills and often make 1 hand catches look effortless. I have the confidence to challenge the best athletes on earth each play without having to devote a safety to my side of the field. Allowing that safety to be 100% comfortable and in better position to make plays. – Sa’Quan Hicks”

Sa’Quan Hicks goals are to focus on some weight gain and strength. He weighed at 170Ibs at the CFL Combine earlier this year and currently weighs at 180+Ibs. He emphasizes the bench press and adds 5-7 reps and up to 225 bench press over the past few months. He plans to earn a spot in the CFL roster in 2015. If that does not work out, he plans to attend the NFL Regional Combine that following season.

For Sa’Quan Hicks his biggest influences have always been his family. They always believed and supported him through the good and the bad. They show up for countless road trips to his games no matter where they are, from indoor or outdoor leagues. He believes that he is very blessed to have them around at all time.

Sa’Quan Hicks currently play for the ASI Panthers professional indoor team. You can check out his website (saquanhicks21.weebly.com). 

___________________________________SPECIAL SHOUT OUT____________________

First, I want to shout out my saviour, nothing is possible without him. Second, I want to shout out my family, the ultimate support system. Next, I have to shout out my defensive back coaches, the training, the methods, they are the best. Then, I have to shout out my mentors, current/former NFL, CFL, AFL and professional indoor legends/veterans. Last, I have to shout out my true friends and fan-base; I will never forget and are grateful for those who support me. 

Sa’Quan Hicks Resume

Height/Weight: 5’10, 181Ibs

Position: Cornerback

Hometown:  Baltimore City, MD

College: Morgan State

Career Highlights:

Morgan State Bear

Virginia Badgers (Indoor 2012)

Washington Eagles (Indoor 2013)

Lancaster Lightning (GDFL professional developmental league 2013, 2014)

Pennsylvania Steam (Indoor 2014)

ASI Panthers (Indoor 2014)

Player Showcase under Sports Agent Mike LaCourt. Mike has CFL, AFL and recent NFL clients.

 


2014 Statistics:

(10 games) 2 interceptions

6 pass breakups

19 targets

4 catches allowed for 35 total yards

0 touchdowns allowed

6 games with 0 catches allowed

Quarterbacks completed 21% of their passes when throwing at me

Quarterbacks also had a QB Rating of -17.4 when targeting me.

Film Highlights:

Indoor Football:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0lJvYjdPhY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Outdoor Football:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvrV2HLohFA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Explosive Leaping Ability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Z3_X0B1_M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Check out his website (saquanhicks21.weebly.com).

 

Daniel Lee, For the Love of the Game

Daniel Lee, For the Love of the Game

by: Lead Journalist - Jasmine Ng

“I have goals to become a Wr in the National Football League or to play any role in the NFL. I also have goals to travel the world to play this game that I love if I fall short of becoming a player in the NFL. – Daniel Lee”

Everyone has a starting point in having a passion for the game.  All-around athlete Daniel Lee can put in some work and play Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. He can also play as a Return Kicker and Catch Punts.  Or if needed anywhere else such as on special teams. Daniel Lee originally from Gunnison which is a small town in Bolivar County Mississippi. He was raised in a house with just women. His sisters, nieces, and grandmother who helped raise him. He didn’t really have a father figure to look up to. His father has never watched him play football. Lee would be that kid who would get in trouble and always had a bad attitude. So he put his energy in sports. He invested his energy in football and baseball.

For Daniel Lee, he began his journey in football at West Bolivar High School in Rosedale Mississippi. In his senior year they won the state championship against Taylorsville Tatars. That year they were undefeated with a 15-0 streak. 

When Lee graduated from West Bolivar High School, he attended Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale Mississippi due to his poor grades. At Coahoma Community College, that is where Daniel Lee started off as the Slot WR and long snapper. He attended Coahoma Community College for two years and transferred out to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2010. His junior year over at Shaw University, Lee was a role player for the team. He played a lot in the slot position, returned kicks and caught punts for his first time in his career. He had the opportunity to be starter as a long snapper position. In his junior year, they won the CIAA.

After his senior year in football at Shaw University in 2012, Daniel Lee thought his football career was done because he had his heart set on playing ball further. But he had no idea where he was going to play next. So he decided to stay focused on training and working hard every day to get to the next level.  He was told about the open tryouts for the Columbus Lions at the Proehlific Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Daniel Lee went to the open tryouts not knowing what will come next. He went in with an open mind and ready to show what he was made of. Lee was signed the same day and was invited to camp by the Columbus Lions. He left that semester from Shaw University to go for his passion of the sport.  With the Columbus Lions, he started off on practice roster and worked his way up to the rotation of WR/DB. In his last six games with the Columbus Lions he was put as a starter as a DB but he hasn’t played DB since high school.

In the 2013 season Daniel Lee was asked to come back with the Columbus Lions. But he decided to sign with the Richmond Raiders for the 2014 season. He had an outstanding camp and but was released a day before the first game. He soon was signed with the Cape Fear Heroes and finished his 2014 season with them. Which he had an exceptional year and gave him the best motivation to continue his passion for the game.

 Daniel Lee’s style of playing is the Wes Welker type. He isn’t the fastest but he is quick as lightening. He is a major standout by his route running and sure hands. He would be able in getting separation from the defender. Lee’s training regime is a five days a week and rest his body on a Saturday and Sunday. Those are the days he ices, stretches and stem. In every workout he makes sure he does a 30 minute warm-up. The last time he ran his 40 yard dash was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and his time was a 4.54. Lee can bench press a 275 11xs. His best lifts were when he pressed a 315 3xs. In Lee’s opinion he would want to work on improving his speed. He always had great hands and could run to get routes.  He is always able to get in and out of his routes.  In his opinion the only reason why he hasn’t gotten a shot to the next level is because of his speed. He is a great competitor and always worked hard at everything he does. Currently Daniel Lee is training hard to lower his 40 time by doing explosive workouts.

As far back as Daniel Lee can remember he started playing football since the sixth grade. He would never forget the person who had pulled him towards the right direction in life when he was going the wrong direction. Malcolm Brown is the person who changed his life forever. He was the one who made a visit to his home and asked his mom if he could play for his team.  It is as if Lee was scouted by Brown because he saw that raw talent in him and believed that he would one day make it to the next level. 

Since then, he had the opportunity to play with the Columbus Lions of the PIFL and the Cape Fear

Heroes of the AIFL. With the Columbus Lions he played under Jason Gibson scoring three touchdowns a game which helped him out a lot. After his rookie season with the Columbus Lions he went to sign with the Richmond Raiders in the PIFL. After being released from the Richmond Raiders, he thought his career was over.  The thoughts and feelings after he was released.

“I felt as if my athleticism, hard work and dedication weren’t good enough.”  – Daniel Lee

Then later he was picked up by the Cape Fear Heroes of the AIFL. There he played each game as if his life was depended on it. Being picked up by the Cape Fear Heroes it gave him life again. 

“Looking back at my past keeps me motivated. Coming from where the young barely makes it out. I wanted something different. It was struggle for me growing up with no father. I started off heading in the wrong direction but I thank GOD and my loving mother.  Watching my cousin pass from caner motivates me as well. – Daniel Lee”

His most influential players in his life are his mom and his first cousin who had passed away with colon cancer at the age of 21. The hardest times when he wanted to quit the game and on himself, his mom was influenced him to keep playing and keep God first and that everything will get better. Seeing her fight through the struggle had motivated him even more to work towards his dream. 

He would always remember what his mom would say “A bad attitude will get you nowhere in life.”

He had the attitude of nothing was good happening in his life before so he decided to take a big change. Everyone doubted him and said he would never finish high school and not go to college. He made it and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation. He always had to work ten times harder than everyone else. Watching his cousin fight cancer was a first hurdle in life of an eye opener. His cousin never gave up on himself and had fought until the end before he had passed away on July 9^th, 2014. With his cousin he would speak with him every day before his 2014 season with the Cape Fear Heroes. He would motivate him and tell him he would score three or more touchdowns per game. Number three was his cousin’s favourite number and his basketball number. In honour of his cousin in Lee’s rookie year with the Columbus Lions and the Cape Fear Heroes he would sport number three.

“To me, that’s my lucky number.  His favorite saying was “I won’t complain”. He accepted Christ at a early age. Before he took sick he was a Star Point Guard at his Jr College and he worked hard so now that he’s gone  I feel that I have to work twice as hard for us both because I know if he could he would do the same.”

His cousin and his mom is the reason he play this game with such great passion. He has great support from my hometown Gunnison, Ms. West Bolivar Family, family and close friends and those who he

has met along the way. His former high school teammates are very supportive when it comes down to playing football.  His mom, close friends and Family supports my journey the most.

Daniel Lee’s most memorable highlight was in senior year at Shaw University when it took him 78 yard middle screen for a touchdown. He really feels that he can play this game on a higher level because of the tools that were given to him to compete with the top athletes. Most of all he has the heart. For Daniel Lee what is next, his plans are to start camp with the Erie Explosion who are now a member of the PIFL.

“I’m excited to get the opportunity to play for a good organization like Erie Explosion. I’ve heard such good things about that organization and the head coach “Shawn Liotta” Off the field I plan to go back to school to get my Master’s degree in sports management.”

_______________SHOUTOUT______________

 I would like to give a Shout out to My MOM, Friends and Family, my hometown Gunnison MS, my uncle Stevie Johnson and my Aunt Ramona Johnson and others I’ve met along the way.

 

Daniel Lee Resume
Weight/Height: 188Ibs, 5'11

Position:  
WR/DB/KR/PR

Career Highlights:
West Bolivar High School
Coahoma Community College
Shaw University
Columbus Lions (PIFL)
Cape Fear Heroes (AIFL)

Testing:40 yard dash: 4.54
bench press: 275 11xs
squats: 400

Highlight film. Columbus lions/Cape Fear Heroes:
Daniel Lee (ATH) AIF/PIFL 2013/14:  http://youtu.be/WOMqM0btlx4