West Virginia University Athletics

2018 (r-So.)

• Missed the first eight games of the season after having a preseason knee injury during spring practice
• Saw action in the final four games
• Used primarily on special teams
• Season-high 10 plays against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma

2017 (r-Fr.)

• Academic All-Big 12 First-Team honors
• Played in four games at Mike linebacker, before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury
• Finished with 10 tackles, including nine solo stops
• Season-high five solo tackles against Delaware State
• Had four tackles, including three unassisted tackles against East Carolina

2016 (Fr.)

• Redshirted after suffering knee injury during preseason

High School

• Played for Coach Brett McLean at St. Clairsville High
• As a senior, led team to a 9-3 record, 4-1 conference mark and the second round of the state playoffs
• Strong athlete who also excelled at running back
• Senior stats showed 118 tackles, 10 TFLs, two sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in leading the St. Clairsville defense
• Offensive stats as a senior showed 1,066 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry
• Also recorded 27 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 22.2 yards per catch
• U.S. Army All-American Bowl (2016)
• USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Ohio First Team (2015)
• Big 22 Player of the Year (2015)
• AP All-Ohio Division IV Defensive Player of the Year (2015)
• AP All-Ohio Division IV First Team (2015)
• AP All-Ohio Division V First Team (2014)
• AP All-Eastern Division IV District Defensive Player of the Year (2015)
• AP All-Eastern Division IV District First Team (2015)
• AP All-Eastern Division V District Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
• AP All-Eastern Division V District First Team (2014)
• Captain of the Times Leader All-District Defensive unit
• Two-time All-Buckeye 8 Athletic League South All-Star First Team (2014-15)
• Ranked No. 232 on the Rivals250
• Ranked No. 145 on the ESPN300
• Ranked No. 106 on the Scout300
• Four-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 247Sports and MaxPreps
• 247Sports rates him as the No. 7 best linebacker prospect in the nation and No. 6 overall prospect in Ohio
• Scout rates him at No. 7 best linebacker nationally, No. 12 best prospect in the region and No. 6 best recruit in Ohio
• Rivals’ recruit of No. 11 overall in the state, No. 16 nationally at linebacker and a member of the Rivals 250 club
• PrepStar Top 150
• Helped team to a 11-2 overall record and a 5-0 conference mark as a junior

Personal

• Son of Mike and Heidi Ferns
• One of three children
• Majoring in business