Player Spotlight: Dan Herron

Story posted November 19, 2011 in CommRadio, Sports by Breanna Jacobs

Player Spotlight: Dan Herron

After a five-game suspension, Ohio State running back Dan Herron was ready to prove that he is still an asset to the team.

Herron, along with four other players, including former quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who decided to enter the supplemental NFL Draft, were suspended by the NCAA after it was determined they were selling memorabilia. But this is not Herron’s defining moment as a Buckeye.

Herron joined the Ohio State football team in 2007 as a redshirt. He did not see any action during his first season. That, however, changed in 2008.

In 2008, Herron, a freshman, made his first career start again USC. In total, he rushed for 439 yards and six touchdowns during the season.

Herron missed two games late in the season after sustaining a concussion, but was able to come back and play in the last three games of the season and in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2009, Herron rushed for 633 yards in ten games. He scored a touchdown in eight straight games.

Herron again missed games due to injury; he was unable to play against Indiana after injuring his ankle. He returned against Wisconsin, but was reinjured early in the game, causing him to miss the next two games.

Ohio State won the Rose Bowl in 2009. Herron had 42 rushing yards and three receptions during the game.

Herron was named Offensive Player of the Week three times during the 2009 season. He also Rex Kern Award for outstanding running back from the Ohio State coaching staff.

Herron’s most productive season came in 2010, his junior season. He rushed for 1,155 yards and scored a touchdown in 12 straight games.

Herron also had his first 100-yard rushing game in 2010 when the Buckeyes traveled to Minnesota. In the first half of the game alone, he rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown.
Herron’s biggest game of the season came against Penn State. He rushed for 190 yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown. After the win over the Nittany Lions, Herron was awarded the Agonis/Rick Meyer award for top performance by the Ohio State coaching staff.

He was also awarded Offensive Player of the Week five times and he again earned the Rex Kern award for outstanding running back. Herron was named to the first team All-Big Ten Team and was on the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List.

Herron received his suspension in 2010, but was able to play in the Sugar Bowl. He rushed for 87 yards and scored one touchdown.

Back from suspension, Herron, who has had 17 career starts, is showing his strength and versatility as a running back. He has rushed for 477 yards on 88 carries and has scored two touchdowns. Herron averages 5.4 yards a carry and his longest rush of the season was 57 yards.
Herron also has 17 receiving yards, coming from two receptions. He averages 8.5 yards per reception.

The defense will need to keep an eye on Herron, who likes to run between the tackles, when Penn State (8-2, 5-1) travels to Ohio Saturday, November 19 to take on the Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3).
Breanna Jacobs is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact her, e-mail: byj5032@psu.edu.