He was the MVP of the Coaches All-Star game the next summer and became a junior college All-American at Tyler Junior College in 1998 and 1999.

             And at 6-2, 220 pounds, this receiver in a linebacker's body seems larger than life. But for all of the hoopla surrounding other high school sensations, so far, the line on Ferguson is that there is legitimate hope to all the hype.

             "There's still some rust and some rough edges we have to get rounded out" said A&M offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe, who recruited Ferguson two years ago. "You can see the talent level that we've always seen from all the way back to Spring Woods High School. And now what you see is the maturity level, the focus and the drive to be good."

             That drive for excellence was tested in junior college, where isolation and frustration coexist. Ferguson, who was once the king of the sport in his home state, seemed destined to become another high school hotshot who flamed out.

             It didn't happen. Ferguson earned an associate's degree from Tyler JC and immediately moved his life to College Station.

             "I think one thing is when those guys go to junior college, they see a lot of guys from a lot of different backgrounds," Kragthorpe said. "And there are guys there who don't get a lot of support in terms of having five academic counselors and tutors. Tyler does a great job of that, but it's not like it is here, where you have a lot more people who are going to step out there and help you.

             "I think what Robert has seen is some very, very talented athletes fall by the wayside and become statistics. He didn't want to become a statistic. He wanted to make some statistics on Kyle Field."

             While at Tyler, Ferguson was always double-teamed and sometimes triple-teamed by a cornerback, linebacker and safety. He still managed to catch 36 passes last year for 539 yards. He even played some cornerback and linebacker last fall.

             And while schools like Florida State made a run at his services, the soft-spoken Ferguson stayed true to the Aggies. And while he has become one of the most talked-about athletes to ever show up on the A&M practice fields, Ferguson is remarkably grounded and focused.

             "Personally, it was a very humbling experience to go to junior college coming out of high school," Ferguson said. "As the Defensive Player of the Year, I was expecting myself to come into Division I and do some things. But I had to go through some tough times in junior college.

             "I had some long Saturdays watching some games, but it motivated me a lot. I just had to take care of business to get here. I knew on the field I could take care of business, but I knew I just had to work hard in the classroom."

             Ferguson seems keenly aware of the trials that await a junior college transfer at a school like A&M. Sure, there is a large support staff to guide him through his final two years of eligibility, but ultimately, Ferguson's success will be a product of his own dedication.

             "I talked to a lot of the players, and they let me know about the tutors," he said. "I'll have a lot of help, so I just need to take advantage of it. I just need to keep my head on straight."

             On the football field, there is no question where Ferguson's talents lie... everywhere. He has too much size for smaller defensive backs to handle him, and his deceptive open-field speed has had the Aggies defense reeling at times.

             As much of an impact as former JC stud Albert Connell had on the Aggie offense five years ago, Ferguson could become an even bigger threat over the next two seasons.

             "He's got a lot of potential," said Gamble, who marveled at Ferguson as a teammate in the high school all-star game in 1998. "I think he can be a great player for us. If he can get (the offense) down, I'm not going to put anything past him. I'm not going to sit here and hype him up, but I'm not going to put anything past him, either."

             As if the transition to Division I football wasn't enough, Ferguson will open his A&M career against Notre Dame on NBC. This, as Ferguson admits, isn't like lining up against Navarro Junior College anymore.

             "I know the crowd will be a lot different than the junior college crowd," he said. "I'm sure I'll settle in and perform well. But the best opening game I could have in Division I football right now is for Texas A&M to win. I just want to experience a win here, bond with the guys after the win and move forward from there."

             Ferguson will play the flanker position and will give the Aggies the Big 12's most dangerous receiving corps with senior Chris Taylor and junior Bethel Johnson.

             At the very least, A&M offensive lineman Chris Valletta said Ferguson could be the best ball carrier the Aggies possess.

             "We were in the offensive line film room after practice watching tape, and there was one play where he went right, cut left and went right through the whole defense," Valletta said. "He made every one of them miss, and he went straight up the left sideline all the way down for the score. We asked Coach Grimes if he could rewind it because we wanted to see it again. We were all just dumfounded.

             "But we need that. We need a big-time playmaker. We can't put the cart before the horse because he hasn't played in a Division I football game. But just from what I've seen and just that one play I saw, the guy is awesome."

             For now, all the comments and anecdotes about Ferguson seem to barely faze A&M's latest top recruit.

             Yet, don't let his sleepy eyes fool you. Behind them burns an obvious fire to become a special player.

             "My outlook on things is that if we win as a team, all that personal stuff will take care of itself," Ferguson said. "If we win the Big 12, then we move on to a bowl game, and hopefully, it's for the national championship. Then all the personal (accolades) will come, and they'll come quick."

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