D ' Brickashaw Ferguson D ' Brickashaw Montgomery Ferguson ( born December 10 , 1983 ) , is an American football left tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Virginia and received All - American honors . He was picked by the Jets fourth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft , and has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times . Early years . Ferguson attended Freeport High School in the Long Island village of Freeport , New York . He nearly gave up football during his freshman year in high school . Considered a three - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , Ferguson was ranked as the No . 29 offensive guard prospect in the nation . He chose Virginia over Michigan State . As a child he appeared on Nickelodeon ' s Wild and Crazy Kids and rode in a BMX vs . Horses race . College career . While attending the University of Virginia , Ferguson played for the Virginia Cavaliers football team . He started his college career listed at , often dropping to through the regular season . He started 49 games for the Cavaliers , and he was named to the consensus All - America first team during his final season . He was placed on the all - Atlantic Coast Conference first team two years in a row , and he became Virginia ' s first All - ACC offensive tackle since 1998 . Ferguson started at left tackle in four consecutive bowl games for the Cavaliers . He played linebacker on a special defensive package employed sparingly in 2003 . He did this while earning a religious studies degree in only 3 . 5 years . He was an All - America selection in 2004 by " Pro Football Weekly " . Professional career . 2006 NFL Draft . Considered an undersized offensive tackle after playing at 295 pounds during his senior year at Virginia , Ferguson officially weighed in at 312 for the NFL combine . As an offensive tackle , Ferguson ' s talent is found in his lower body strength , athleticism and flexibility . This athleticism and flexibility is further evidenced in his attaining a black belt in Shotokan karate and brown belt in taekwondo . Adding to that ability is his natural build , as Ferguson has an armspan of . Ferguson was one of six players the NFL invited to New York for the 2006 NFL Draft events . He was selected 4th overall by the New York Jets . The last time the Jets used their first pick on an offensive tackle was 1988 , when they selected Dave Cadigan of USC at No . 8 . New York Jets . Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans . On July 26 , 2006 , Ferguson signed a five - year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $ 35 million deal that 2005 ’ s No . 4 pick , Cedric Benson , signed with the Chicago Bears . Designated as Jason Fabini ' s successor , Ferguson started every game at left tackle for the Jets since the beginning of the 2006 NFL season . On January 8 , 2010 Miami Dolphins Tackle Jake Long withdrew from the 2010 Pro Bowl due to injuries and Ferguson was named as his replacement . He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl . Personal . Ferguson is named after Father Ralph de Bricassart , a fictional character in the 1977 novel and 1983 mini - series " The Thorn Birds " . His name ostensibly inspired a 2012 sketch by Key & Peele introducing a fictitious all - star college football roster of outlandishly named players . Ferguson ' s home town , Freeport , New York , has dedicated a street to him . On September 29 , 2009 , South Ocean Avenue , where he grew up , received secondary signage as D ' Brickashaw Ferguson Way . D ' Brickashaw Ferguson is a black belt in Karate .