UW tight end Jake Ferguson is carrying lessons learned from Troy Fumagalli onto the field

MADISON – Jake Ferguson wisely paid close attention to any bit of advice Troy Fumagalli dished out to Wisconsin’s tight ends in 2017.

In addition to recording 46 catches for 547 yards in his final college season, both team-highs, Fumagalli made sure he spent time mentoring during meetings, practices and games. 

“Last year when we were in the film room or were running indy (individual) drills,” Ferguson said, “just watching him and listening to him helped a lot.”

Fumagalli, who is preparing for the NFL draft later this month, shared with Ferguson and the other younger tight ends tips on footwork, running precise routes and reading defenses. 

Zander Neuville, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the 2017 regular-season finale, and Kyle Penniston should be UW’s top two tight ends next season.

Ferguson, a graduate of Madison Memorial High School who will be a redshirt freshman, has been getting plenty of work this spring along with Luke Benzschawel and Gabe Lloyd.

Lloyd and Benzschawel will be redshirt sophomores. 

Ferguson, the brother of former UW safety Joe Ferguson, at this point appears to be a legitimate threat as a receiver but still a bit raw as an in-line blocker. 

“Right now I think my strong suit is pass-catching and running routes,” he said. “This spring I wanted to focus on blocking and I think I’ve come a long way with my steps and working with my hands. I’m starting to figure a lot of things out.”

During a recent practice, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Ferguson fought off tight coverage from linebacker Arrington Farrar and made a beautiful one-handed catch along the sideline. Ferguson pulled the ball in with his right hand because Farrar wouldn’t let go of his left arm. 

“I had one arm free and tried to pull it in,” Ferguson said. “I got my hand on it and pulled it in.”

Ferguson was given a target weight of 235 for the spring. He surpassed that mark after winter workouts. 

“They wanted me at 235, but over the winter I kind of kept pounding food and lifting weights,” he said. “I’m pretty comfortable at 245 – if I can keep my speed.”

Ferguson has performed well for most of the spring though he has learned some tough lessons.

One came during a recent practice when he ran a route over the middle during a red-zone drill and was separated from the ball by reserve safety Eric Burrell.

As Ferguson slowly rose from the turf after the brutal hit, the defensive players were celebrating and woofing as if UW had just won a title. 

“I couldn’t see him at all and I probably should have changed the route at the top,” Ferguson said. "That is the reason I am clean shaved right now.”

Explain, please.

“Every time I drop a ball I have to shave my face,” said Ferguson, whose position coach, Mickey Turner, dons a full beard. “I had a pretty good beard for a while. I got smoked.”

UW linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and T.J. Edwards have watched Ferguson closely since last season.

“We saw it on the scout team last year; the guy can catch the ball,” Van Ginkel said. “He is still young, learning the playbook and techniques. 

“But he has really improved and he is someone people are going to have to watch out for. He is a playmaker. He will go up and get it."

Edwards added: “You don’t really know what he is going to do on his route and he is very hard to get your hands on. 

“He can do a lot. He can move well. He is going to be dangerous."

UW’s 2018 opener is about 4½ months away, but Ferguson, who has far more catches than drops this spring, should be a factor in the passing game.

Part of the reason for his development is that he listened to and watched Fumagalli closely.

“That has really helped me,” he said, “and I’ve taken a lot of that into spring ball.”

From the infirmary: Outside linebacker Zack Baun, who appeared to re-injure his surgically repaired left foot last week, watched most of practice Thursday without a protective boot. That is another sign that Baun, who missed all of last season after breaking the foot in late August, likely avoided a major injury this time. Barring another setback, Baun should be ready for preseason camp. …

Tailback Taiwan Deal, who has performed well this spring, suffered a left-hamstring injury Thursday. He was examined by a trainer and watched the last few minutes of practice wearing a bag of ice on his left hamstring.