Josh Ferguson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Josh Ferguson
| image = Josh Ferguson.JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Ferguson with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016
| current_team =
| number = 34, 39, 36
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|05|23}}
| birth_place = Naperville, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 200
| high_school = Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Illinois)
| college = Illinois
| undraftedyear = 2016
| pastteams =
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2019}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Third-team All-Big Ten (2015)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 34
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 1.8
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 23
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 152
| statlabel5 = Return yards
| statvalue5 = 166
}}
Josh Ferguson (born May 23, 1993) is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
Early life
Ferguson attended Joliet Catholic Academy, where he rushed for 1,868 yards and 25 touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=http://fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2167 |title=Illinois Athletics - Josh Ferguson |website=fightingillini.com |access-date=September 12, 2016}} A 3-star running back recruit, Ferguson committed to Illinois to play college football over offers from Air Force, Ball State, East Carolina, Memphis, North Dakota State, Ohio, and Toledo.{{Cite web |title=Josh Ferguson 2011 All Purpose Back Illinois |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/josh-ferguson-27500?view=pv |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=rivals.com |language=en-US}}
College career
Ferguson debuted as a true freshman in 2011, playing in the first three games of the season, but he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in week 3 and was approved for a medical hardship waiver, allowing him to redshirt. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Ferguson played in 10 games, starting six. He ran 75 times for 312 yards, recorded 29 receptions for 251 yards, and returned 19 kicks for 344 yards. In 2013, as a redshirt sophomore, he ran 141 times for 779 yards and seven touchdowns, and caught 50 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns. Ferguson played in all 13 games in 2014, starting nine, leading the team in rushing with 735 yards and eight touchdowns, and recorded 50 receptions for 427 yards and two touchdowns. {{Cite web |title=Josh Ferguson - 2015 - Football |url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/football/roster/josh-ferguson/2167 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=University of Illinois Athletics |language=en}}
As a redshirt senior in 2015, Ferguson missed three games due to a shoulder injury, starting the team’s remaining nine games, recording 129 carries for 708 yards and three touchdowns, along with 37 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Ferguson was voted Third-team All-Big Ten for his 2015 season. {{Cite news |title=View 2015 All-Big Ten Offensive Team & individual award winners |url=https://btn.com/2015/12/01/view-2015-all-big-ten-offensive-team-individual-award-winners/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203035851/https://btn.com/2015/12/01/view-2015-all-big-ten-offensive-team-individual-award-winners/ |archive-date=2015-12-03 |access-date=2025-06-02 |work=Big Ten Network |language=en-us}} {{Cite web |title=Josh Ferguson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/josh-ferguson/32004645-5220-1072-f1b2-93256fd73752 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
Overall, in 47 career games, Ferguson ran for 2,586 yards and 18 touchdowns, and recorded 168 receptions for 1,507 yards and eight touchdowns. He graduated with a degree in kinesiology.
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9
| weight = 198
| dash = 4.48
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical = 34{{frac|1|2}}
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 21
| arm span =
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/josh-ferguson?id=2555228 |title=Josh Ferguson Draft Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 12, 2016}}
}}
=Indianapolis Colts=
After appearing in the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Ferguson was not selected in the 2016 NFL draft. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/5/2/11571328/colts-officially-sign-21-undrafted-free-agents |title=Colts officially sign 21 undrafted free agents |last=Wilson |first=Josh |date=May 2, 2016 |website=stampedeblue.com |access-date=May 2, 2016}} Despite going undrafted, Ferguson made the final 53-man roster for the 2016 Colts.{{Cite web |title=Colts Make Final Cuts, Assemble 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-make-final-cuts-assemble-53-man-roster-17618222 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=www.colts.com |language=en-US}} As a rookie, Ferguson played in all 16 games, recording 15 carries for 20 yards and 20 receptions for 136 yards. He also played on special teams, returning four kicks for 80 yards, one punt for no yards, and made two special teams tackles.{{Cite web |title=2016 Colts Rookie Watch: Final Edition |url=https://www.colts.com/news/2016-colts-rookie-watch-final-edition-18395110 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=www.colts.com |language=en-US}}
On September 2, 2017, Ferguson was waived with an injury designation by the Colts and was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Announce-Final-2017-Roster-Cuts/5dc30820-9391-401e-8bdd-40852df5769e |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109151022/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Announce-Final-2017-Roster-Cuts/5dc30820-9391-401e-8bdd-40852df5769e |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |title=Colts Announce Final 2017 Roster Cuts |last=Walker, Andrew |date=September 2, 2017 |website=Colts.com}} He was released on September 8, 2017. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 17, 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Move-Colts-Bring-Back-RB-Josh-Ferguson-To-Practice-Squad/4f0639cc-af13-4739-b992-d4c926cb741f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022080209/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Move-Colts-Bring-Back-RB-Josh-Ferguson-To-Practice-Squad/4f0639cc-af13-4739-b992-d4c926cb741f |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |title=Roster Move: Colts Bring Back RB Josh Ferguson To Practice Squad |date=October 17, 2017 |website=Colts.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Place-Robert-Turbin-On-IR-Sign-Josh-Ferguson-To-Active-Roster/31ac1691-d130-4846-bd50-cf6ae90ae6a3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023184410/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Place-Robert-Turbin-On-IR-Sign-Josh-Ferguson-To-Active-Roster/31ac1691-d130-4846-bd50-cf6ae90ae6a3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |title=Colts Place Robert Turbin On IR; Sign Josh Ferguson To Active Roster |date=October 20, 2017 |website=Colts.com}} In the 2017 season, Ferguson appeared in 10 games, rushing once for five yards, catching three passes for 16 yards, and returning five kicks for 86 yards.{{Cite web |title=Roster Moves: Colts Re-Sign RB Tion Green; Waive-Injured Josh Ferguson |url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-moves-colts-re-sign-rb-tion-green-waive-injured-josh-ferguson |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=www.colts.com |language=en-US}}
On August 22, 2018, Ferguson was waived with an injury designation by the Colts, and after clearing waivers, he was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-moves-colts-re-sign-rb-tion-green-waive-injured-josh-ferguson |title=Roster Moves: Colts Re-Sign RB Tion Green; Waive-Injured Josh Ferguson |date=August 22, 2018 |website=Colts.com}} He was released on September 18, 2018.
=Houston Texans=
On October 16, 2018, Ferguson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad, but was released a week later.{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-signing-RB-Josh-Ferguson-to-practice-squad-13311349.php |title=Texans sign RB Josh Ferguson, cut DB Robert Jackson from practice squad |last=Wilson, Aaron |date=October 16, 2018 |website=HoustonChronicle.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-signed-daeshon-hall-to-practice-squad |title=TRANSACTIONS: Texans signed Daeshon Hall to practice squad |date=October 23, 2018 |website=HoustonTexans.com}}
=New England Patriots=
On November 7, 2018, Ferguson was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad, but was released two days later.{{Cite web |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-ol-matt-tobin-to-the-53-man-roster-sign-rb-josh-ferguson-to-the-pr |title=Patriots Sign OL Matt Tobin to the 53-Man Roster; Sign RB Josh Ferguson to the Practice Squad |date=November 7, 2018 |website=Patriots.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-wr-damoun-patterson-to-the-practice-squad-release-rb-josh-ferguson |title=Patriots Sign WR Damoun Patterson to the Practice Squad; Release RB Josh Ferguson from the Practice Squad |date=November 9, 2018 |website=Patriots.com}}
=Houston Texans (second stint)=
On November 12, 2018, Ferguson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transaction-texans-sign-rb-josh-ferguson-to-the-practice-squad |title=TRANSACTION: Texans sign RB Josh Ferguson to the practice squad |date=November 12, 2018 |website=HoustonTexans.com}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 7, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |title=TRANSACTIONS: Texans sign eight players to reserve/future contracts |date=January 7, 2019 |website=HoustonTexans.com |access-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108100843/https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |url-status=dead }} On August 30, 2019, Ferguson was released.{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-roster-cut-Anger-Edwards-Ferguson-President-14402151.php |title=Texans roster cuts: Bryan Anger, Javier Edwards, Josh Ferguson |date=August 30, 2019 |website=HoustonChronicle.com}}
=Washington Redskins / Football Team=
On October 16, 2019, Ferguson was signed to the Washington Redskins practice squad.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-rb-josh-ferguson-to-practice-squad |title=Redskins Sign RB Josh Ferguson To Practice Squad |date=October 16, 2019 |website=Redskins.com |access-date=November 26, 2019}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 10, 2019, before being released on August 3, 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-make-several-roster-moves-121019 |title=Redskins Make Several Roster Moves |date=December 10, 2019 |website=Redskins.com}}{{Cite web |last=Hailey |first=Peter |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Washington Linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons Is Opting Out of the 2020 NFL Season |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nbcsports/washington-linebacker-josh-harvey-clemons-is-opting-out-of-the-2020-nfl-season/2380397/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=NBC4 Washington}}
NFL career statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2016 | IND
| 16 || 0 || 15 || 20 || 1.3 || 11 || 0 || 20 || 136 || 6.8 || 14 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | IND
| 10 || 0 || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0 || 3 || 16 || 5.3 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | WAS
| 2 || 0 || 3 || 9 || 3.0 || 7 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Total || 28 || 0 || 19 || 34 || 1.8 || 11 || 0 || 23 || 152 || 6.6 || 14 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2167 Illinois Fighting Illini bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Josh}}
Category:American football running backs
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Players of American football from Naperville, Illinois