John
Ferrara
Defensive End
Monsignor Farrell High School
(Staten Island, NY)
6-5/255/5.1
NR: ***
Position Rank: No. 59
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Scouting
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Scouting
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His Recruiting Story:
John Ferrara is one that came to Michigan under the radar. A standout in New
York, John Ferrara accepting a scholarship offer from the University of Michigan
came from almost out of no where. However, it was always Michigan in the eyes
of Ferrara. As soon as his Michigan offer came, he jumped on it. A visitor to
Michigan for unofficial visits over the past two summers, Ferrara became very
familiar with the Michigan campus despite never participating in the Wolverines
summer football camp.
As a standout in the classroom, it was the combination of academics and athletics
that set Michigan above the pack for the New York native. On a Junior Day visit
back in 2005, it was the academic presentation by the Wolverines that really
drew the eye of Ferrara and his family.
“I think that's when I realized first that it was better school than most, as
far as academics and the type of football that he wanted to play. When we started
looking into it, it was a long process of weeding out schools. John has a running
97 average, he has been National honor society two years in a row, and he teaches
CCD…so he has a good academic background. So we set up some criteria…what were
the best football schools and what were the best academic schools? When we started
lining them up, we started realizing that Michigan was always coming out on
top. This summer we went on another trip through the Big Ten. When we stopped
off at Michigan it really started coming together that it was the right school
for him."
After Junior Day, Ferrara sent in tape to the Michigan staff. When the Wolverines
staff had an opportunity to view the tape, it was clear that John had talent
and an offer was extended. Although schools such as Penn State, MSU, Northwestern,
Rutgers and Ole Miss had already extended scholarship offers, Ferrara knew that
he wanted to be a Wolverine and accepted almost immediately.
GoBlueWolverine.com Commentary
John Ferrara is one to keep an eye on as he may be one of the more interesting
players to watch develop over his time in Ann Arbor. Ferrara is capable of playing
many positions while at Michigan. While listed as a defensive end, the New Yorker
has been told by the Michigan staff that he has the frame to bulk up and play
tackle on the offensive line along with the possibility of winding up as an
end on the defensive front. With his non-stop motor, it may be on the defensive
side of the ball that he makes his mark, however.
"His game is all about hustle," said Mr. Ferrara of his son. "He's relentless
when it comes to chasing plays down. He's not like your regular lineman. He'll
chase a play 30 yards downfield, which he did this Saturday. He beat a block
in the middle, the play bounded outside, the guy got loose and he was running
down the field free. John chased down a running back."