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Harding’s Herron awaiting an NFL call
By Joe Scalzo
When Daniel “Boom” Herron came out of Warren Harding five years ago, every scout agreed he was a Division I football player.
But not everyone felt he was an Ohio State player.
“Yeah, people have their opinions, just like people have their opinions about the draft this year,” said Herron, speaking by phone earlier this week. “It just gives you a chip on your shoulder to kind of just prove people wrong.
“A lot of people said I was crazy going to Ohio State. But I knew in my heart what I was capable of doing.”
After redshirting the 2007 season, Herron ran for 439 yards as a freshman in 2008, then gained at least 600 yards in each of the next three seasons, including a career-best 1,155 yards and 16 TDs as a junior, earning first team All-Big Ten honors.
But Herron is more famous — or infamous — for what he did off the field. Herron and four other teammates were suspended five games last fall for receiving improper benefits, then Herron was suspended another game for receiving extra pay in his summer job.
Herron returned for the final seven games, rushing for 675 yards and three TDs. Afterward, he was voted the team’s most valuable player.
While character issues always raise red flags for NFL teams before the draft, Herron said teams haven’t been concerned about the suspension.
“It wasn’t like we committed a crime or anything,” Herron said. “That’s why, at the [NFL] combine, I felt pretty comfortable answering all their questions.
“I realize I made mistakes and I learned from my mistakes and I think it made a better person today. I would handle that situation differently now and I’ve grown from that. Now, I’m just moving forward.”
Herron was a first team All-Ohioan at Warren Harding, helping the Raiders advance to the Division I regional finals as a senior. He said his high school experience helped him make a smooth transition to college.
“I played against a lot of great talent,” he said. “Teams like Mooney, Ursuline, St. Ignatius — all those great teams. I think it really prepared me for Ohio State. It made it easier to play at that next level.
“That’s the edge for guys that come from the Mahoning Valley. You play some great talent coming out of high school.”
A lot of that talent was walking next to him in the hallways. Four former Raiders played in the NFL last season — Ravens LB Prescott Burgess, Giants WR Mario Manningham, Colts CB Chris Rucker and Patriots CB Antwaun Molden — and Herron’s brother, David, played for four different NFL teams between 2007-2010.
Also, former teammate Chris Anzevino, is looking to make the NFL after playing offensive line at Kent State.
“It was a great honor to play at Warren Harding,” Herron said. “So many great players have come from there.”
With the combine and Ohio State’s pro day behind him, Herron has been training and talking to teams — he had a workout with the Patriots this weekend — as he waits for the next step in his career to begin.
Herron is ranked as the 18th-best running back by ESPN and the 19th-best by Pro Football Weekly. He projects as a third-day (rounds 4-7) pick.
“I can’t say I’m nervous but I guess you could say I’m kind of anxious about where I’ll be playing next year,” said Herron. “But it’s also exciting. It’s a new team, a new organization.”
Before he gets there, he’ll spend some time around familiar faces. Herron plans to watch the draft with his family in Warren.
“The draft is a crazy process,” he said. “I just want to be around my family and just relax and enjoy the moment.”