By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

CHRISTOPHER Ferguson’s path to professional football will take him to the Canadian Football League.

Ferguson was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 CFL Global Draft yesterday.

This was the first CFL Draft that pooled all of the global players together after previously having separate drafts for Mexican players and European players in 2019. Ferguson was one of 36 players chosen from among eligible players following a virtual CFL Combine.

For the 2021 CFL season, teams are required to keep two global players on the active roster and up to three on the practice roster. Global players are required to sign their first contracts for a length of two years plus a one-year club option.

The Redblacks’ draft class also included French wide receiver Anthony Mahoungou (9th overall), Dutch linebacker Tyron Vrede (10th overall), and French defensive back Tony Anderson (28th overall).

The Redblacks won the 2016 Grey Cup Championship, which ended a 40-year Grey Cup championship drought for the city of Ottawa.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS will kick off their 2021 schedule in front of RNation, hosting eastern division rivals, the Montreal Alouettes, at TD Place on Friday, June 11 at 7:30pm.

Ferguson concluded his collegiate football career on a high note when his No. 23 Cincinnati Bearcats dominated the Boston College Eagles 38-6 in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.

He led an offensive line that helped lead the way with a total of 343 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. It marked the third bowl game appearance for Ferguson during his tenure with the programme.

Ferguson was able to return for his sixth season when he was granted an eligibility-extension waiver by the NCAA because of injuries suffered earlier in his career.