Herron catches the eyes of NFL scouts

Warren Harding's David Herron learned to play linebacker at Michigan St.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
David Herron played fullback at Warren Harding. Michigan State recruited him to play fullback. He spent his first year in college as a fullback. He figured he'd stay a fullback.
Then Bobby Williams got fired and John L. Smith was hired.
"Coach Smith didn't do fullbacks," said Herron, who played mostly offense at Harding. "So I had to make a decision about whether to leave or just try and wait it out to see if I could play linebacker.
"I like challenges and I took it as a challenge."
After taking a medical redshirt in 2002, Herron switched to linebacker in spring drills of his freshman year and, "learned to love it."
"It's a thrilling position," Herron said. "You get to fly around and knock people down and make all the calls in the huddle. It's like being the quarterback of the defense.
"It takes a lot of dedication to be a good linebacker and that's what I did. I worked really hard to be the best I could be."
Caught eyes of scouts
Herron, who is hoping to be selected in this weekend's NFL Draft, has maintained that work ethic over the last few months. He trained in Phoenix from December through February and has also worked out in Warren the past few months. Although he's expected to be a non-drafted free agent, he's caught the eye of several NFL scouts.
"After Michigan State's Pro Day [last month], I got a real good vibe from a lot of NFL scouts," Herron said. "I think I did what I had to do to help my stock rise."
Herron helped himself on the field, too. He was one of the few bright spots during an awful season in East Lansing. He finished second on the team in tackles (79) and was first in tackles for a loss (seven) and forced fumbles (four). Although the Spartans finished 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten, Herron kept playing hard.
"I set goals for every game and one of my goals was to get 12 tackles in every game," said Herron. "I love the game of football and I hate losing. That's why I played as hard as I could."
Herron, the son of Rev. David Sr. and Brenda Herron, also worked hard in the classroom. He finished classes in December, graduating with a degree in family community service. His younger brother, Danny, was a standout running back this season for the Raiders who is headed to Ohio State.
Family background
"Our parents have been a big part of our success," said Herron. "They raised us up right and taught us to be respectful young men. My brother and I have carried those teachings over and it's a big part of our personality. We're humble guys who love to play."
His high school coach, Thom McDaniels, coached both players and said their upbringing played a big part in their success.
"David Herron is a great kid from a great family," said McDaniels. "He played hard and he played hurt and I know Michigan State loved him. The way that kid prepared and worked was impressive."
Of course, no Herron story would be complete without mentioning Maurice Clarett. Herron was Clarett's blocking back at Harding and is still sometimes linked to him, for better or worse.
"I believe I made my own road; I didn't try to live in the shadow of someone else's name," Herron said. "I don't want people to say David Herron was a fullback for Maurice Clarett. I want them to say David Herron was a good linebacker for Michigan State.
"I don't have a problem with Maurice at all, but I don't want to hear that anymore. I want to make my own name."
scalzo@vindy.com