By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

In the annals of names that will be remembered in the NFL Draft, D’Brickashaw Ferguson is one that won’t soon be forgotten.

How could it? It’s pretty much the first question Ferguson gets everywhere he goes. Reporters, fans, teammates, fellow students at Virginia all want to know where Ferguson got his name.

That’s one story that Ferguson isn’t afraid to tell. As the story goes, D’Brickashaw is a slightly adjusted form of a name from the popular television mini-series “The Thornbirds.” That show came out in 1983 and starred Richard Chamberlain in the leading role.

The Thornbirds was about a priest trying to balance his religious responsibilities and his romantic relationships. Chamberlain’s character was popular enough with Ferguson’s parents that it became the basis for their son’s name.

“His name was Father (Ralph) de Bricassart, and my name was changed slightly,” Ferguson said.

The alteration to D’Brickashaw proved prophetic, though. The Brick part of the name seems particularly fitting now that Ferguson has developed into a brick wall of an offensive tackle. After a fantastic career at Virginia, Ferguson is the hands-down choice to be the first offensive tackle taken during the NFL Draft and a lock to be one of the top five or six picks.

“The anticipation is definitely high,” Ferguson said. “I can’t wait for the opportunity when a team does call my name. I’ll be very happy on that day.”

That day is fast approaching and the wait won’t have to be long when it does arrive. Ferguson is projected by many to go as high as No. 2 to New Orleans and probably won’t last beyond the Jets at No. 4.

But there is more to Ferguson than an original name. Ferguson grew up in Freeport, N.Y. following the career of Giants’ tackle Lomas Brown and attempting to mold his game to be like Brown.

When Ferguson arrived at Virginia, he weighed about 220 pounds, hardly the prototype of size for an offensive tackle. But hard work and dedication are two of Ferguson’s greatest assets.

Ferguson spent more than his share of time in the weight room after arriving on the Charlottesville campus. Each year, he has added more weight and now he stands at 6-foot-6 and a solidly built 312 pounds.

“Being a 260-pound tackle, you are just not getting the opportunity to really exert yourself on other defenders as you may at 290 pounds,” Ferguson said. “I thought I had an advantage with the added weight and size and I don’t think it really affected my mobility.”

Of course, being smaller than most defensive linemen he faced had its benefits. It allowed Ferguson to work on his technique and fundamentals, two things that have become hallmarks of Ferguson’s game. One AFC scout says Ferguson is the most technically sound tackle to enter the draft in years.

Those refined skills led Ferguson to become a four-year starter for Virginia, where he started 49 of 51 games. He was all ACC as a junior before becoming an All American during his senior year.

Still, Ferguson says he has some things he would like to work on to be able to handle the load at the next level.

“When I analyze my game I see flaws in many different areas,” Ferguson said. “I constantly want to improve on my fundamentals whether it be in passing or run blocking, whether it be against the bull rush, whether it be if it’s inside moves. My overall game could definitely use improvement.”

While Ferguson might be harsh in his critique of his game, the only complaints you will hear about him from most scouts have little to do with what he does on the field. Some actually questioned his commitment to the game because of Ferguson’s ability to separate what he does on the field to what he does off it.

Ferguson has become notorious for his love of new endeavors. Included in that is his interest in karate (he is a black belt), music (he learned the saxophone) and religion (he earned his degree in religious studies).

But none of that does anything to alter his focus when he straps on the helmet and pads.

“I’m a beast,” Ferguson said. “I see myself as a bodyguard that is personally responsible for the health and welfare of my quarterback. I’ll do anything in my means to protect him.”