Small halfback will provide big punch this year

Sunday, August 20, 2006 Herron has committed to Ohio State University. By ZACH STIPE VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER WARREN — In 2005, Warren Harding had its worst season under coach Thom McDaniels. After making four straight trips to the playoffs, the Raiders stumbled to a 3-7 record. Led by senior running back Dan Herron, the Raiders plan on making last season a distant memory. "I think this year we are very hungry," said Herron, who recently committed to Ohio State. "We lost games that we shouldn't have lost. We just have to be better, play stronger and win games." Herron said the losing season motivated him and his teammates for this fall. "We're really not used to this," he said. "We want to just get back to the top. We want to get back to the playoffs [and] have a run at the state championship. Basically just being the Warren G. Harding team that we were, a winning team." McDaniels said, despite a tough schedule, the Raiders should have a much better season because of an experienced senior class. "I think I see a hungry bunch of kids who are anxious to put last year behind us," McDaniels said. "I know that we are going to be a better football team regardless of whether that means five wins or whether that means nine wins. I think that there's reason for hope and there's reason for optimism." Team leader A lot of that optimism is because of Herron. "I think he's a really complete football player," McDaniels said. "He has power, he has speed, he has some elusiveness, he's an excellent receiver, he's a very willing blocker and he's a very coachable kid. [He's] easily in the top five running backs I've ever coached and probably the second best running back I've ever coached." Those are big words from McDaniels, who has coached a bevy of Division I college football players, won a state title and has a career record of 188-59 at Harding and Canton McKinley. Hot prospect McDaniels isn't the only coach high on Herron, though. Before he committed to Ohio State, coaches at many other college powers, such as Michigan, were hot on his trail. After Herron rushed for 1,527 yards on 211 carries and scored 17 touchdowns in 2005, big-time offers started pouring in. He said it wasn't easy to choose Ohio State because he has rooted for his brother, David Herron, at Michigan State, and his cousin, Prescott Burgess, at Michigan. But a visit this summer to Columbus sold Herron on the Buckeyes. Two weeks after OSU's offer at the Buckeyes' camp, Herron traveled to Columbus. "I went around, they showed me dorms [and] I even met with an academic person," Herron. "I had a meeting with Coach [Jim] Tressel and I just liked everything." Big heart Some think that at 5-foot-10, Herron might be too small to compete in the Big Ten as a running back. McDaniels scoffs at that idea. "If you go to Ohio State you [have to] have a lot of confidence in your ability and they have to, too, when they evaluate you, believe you can play there," McDaniels said. "Danny obviously has confidence in his ability and I obviously have confidence in his ability. There's no question in my mind that he can play at Ohio State." Herron said that his older brother, who is heading into his third year starting at linebacker at Michigan State, has been a great role model for him. "He showed me how to work hard," he said. "When he comes home that's supposed to be his break, [but] he's constantly working. He has shown me how to work hard and to push yourself." Herron is glad he committed early so that now he can focus on the upcoming season. When asked what he can improve on, Herron said, "Everything." He knows his improvement and performance will be key to taking Harding back to the playoffs. "I want to have over 2,000 yards, 30 touchdowns [and] make all-state. I want to run for Mr. Football and all that," said, Herron, who will also start at linebacker for the Raiders. "[But] I want us all to play together. I want our team to come together and come as one. I don't want to be just the man in the spotlight. I want to make big plays, but I want everybody to make big plays." zstipe@vindy.com