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McFarland commits to TCU
West Monroe defensive end and Ferriday native James "JT" McFarland committed to TCU in the spring and will play football for the Horned Frogs in 2012.
McFarland is the son of former Ferriday High head football coach James McFarland and former Lady Trojan basketball coach Joan McFarland.
James McFarland Sr., was head coach at Ferriday for eight years compiling a record of 49-30 including going 9-2 in 2006 before losing to St. Charles in Regionals.
McFarland resigned to accept a job at Riser Middle School in West Monroe where he is head coach of the football team and his wife is a teacher.
Before he was head coach, McFarland was an assistant for nine years under Cordell Bailey.
J.T. McFarland had offers from LSU, Arkansas and Mississippi State, but decided TCU was the best fit for him and his family.
"I sat down with my parents and we all decided that TCU was a good place for me to excel," McFarland said. "They said they would take care of me, and my parents really liked it."
Rivals has McFarland as a four star recruit, while Scout has him as a three star recruit.
McFarland totaled 62 tackles - 13 for loss of 31 yards - 10.5 sacks for loss of 59 yards, one forced fumble, two recoveries and two breakups last year for the Rebels.
McFarland said the reason he chose TCU was because of the atmosphere and everybody was friendly. He said it was a small college where he could play big time football and said that TCU's recent success on the field played a factor in his decision as well.
TCU is coming off of an undefeated season last year with a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
"I watched that game. It was impressive to see them do that," McFarland said.
Before the younger McFarland left to go with his mom and dad to West Monroe, he was on the Ferriday sidelines with his dad as a Trojanball boy.
McFarland said that being around his dad helped him as a football player and played dividends in how he has performed.
"It helps me every time I put on a helmet," McFarland said. "Just knowing what I have to do and not having to ask questions to see if I did it right has helped me out a lot. My dad pretty much wrote down the page for me."
West Monroe head coach Don Shows said that McFarland is a young man that works hard with great manners and is the kind of man that you would want your son to be.
"Anything that I could say positive about him I do," Shows said. "He's right there with (all great defensive linemen he's coached). He plays hard, loves the game, takes care of business and has never a problem."
McFarland has always been active in sports. He played Dixie Youth Baseball and played in the Miss-Lou Youth Football League in Vidalia.
"Back then, I was a little chubby kid trying to have fun," McFarland said. "It was very fun for me, and it helped me see what I could do as far as sports and athletics go. It gave me a glance at what I was good at. After my first year of playing football, I knew that football was what I really wanted."
McFarland said his goals as a senior are to get an education from high school, finish as a state champion and go to college.
McFarland looks for 2011 to be a special season for West Monroe as he said they have a lot of potential.
The Rebels lost to Acadiana 21-14 in the 5A finals last year.
"I think if everyone continues to work hard and holds their own, we can make something out of this season," McFarland said.
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