Ex-Buckeyes Herron, Simon back in Valley for ‘Inspiring’ golf

June 20, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans finished two games apart in last year’s AFC South Division, the Colts falling a game short of the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl appearance and the Texans one of four teams denied the conference’s final playoff spot.

Both teams relied on Mahoning Valley natives to help carry them a season ago — the Colts had Warren Harding graduate Daniel “Boom” Herron and the Texans had Cardinal Mooney alum John Simon.

With training camp a little over five weeks way, the two former Ohio State Buckeyes teammates took time out of their busy schedules to take part Friday in Deryck Toles’ fourth annual Inspiring Minds Golf Tournament, which was held at Avalon Lakes Golf Course.

For Herron, whose breakout season as a pro included 351 rushing yards (he was third overall on the team last season), the upcoming campaign will pose yet another challenge as he goes up against newly acquired running back Frank Gore for playing time.

Gore was picked up in the offseason from the San Francisco 49ers.

“There’s always competition — that’s the fun part about the game because you’re always competing,” Herron said. “We have a great group of guys and I cannot wait to get out there and start to compete with them.”

With Andrew Luck under center, Herron likes his team’s chances in ’15.

“He’s an A-1 player; a great player, a great leader and a great guy on and off the field,” Herron said. “He does a lot of great things and is just a great person.”

Herron stated that head coach Chuck Pagano, a cancer survivor, is also someone very special to him.

“Coach Pagano is a soldier. He’s a fighter and a coach that loves to win,” he said. “He fights for his players and I love him.”

Simon was the Big Ten’s defensive “Player of the Year” in 2012 while at OSU, starting his professional career with Baltimore and playing with the Ravens in 2013-14.

In his first season with the Texans, he had 12 total tackles (seven solos), 11/2 sacks, two tackles for loss and a pass deflection.

He’s happy with the way things have unfolded for him professionally.

“It’s going very well. I’m happy in Houston after starting my career in Baltimore and I had a good season last year,” Simon said. “I came in to Houston, got a lot of reps and a lot of playing time. This year we’re just trying to build off that. During OTA’s and mini-camp, I thought I improved on my play so things are going well.”

Simon is hoping for a playoff berth in 2015.

“We’re always striving for the top. We’re just taking it one day at a time and like I said, with minicamp and OTA’s we got a lot of work done, made a lot of good progress as a team and I made a lot of good progress as an individual,” he said.

Simon said both Houston and while with Baltimore, there were many great defensive players.

“It’s a great group of defensive players with the Texans and I was blessed in Baltimore because there was a great group there, too” he said. “I’m lucky to surround myself by guys who know how to play the game. That that just makes you better yourself.”

The golf event attracted 18, five-player teams and 100 total golfers.

Established in 2006, founder Toles’ vision has grown to offer a number of after-school educational programs that help students prepare for the future, complete with exposure trips, college readiness, professional development and even college visits around the country.

“I’ve experienced a lot in my life and have been able to use my resources and contacts to help this organization,” said Toles, a former Warren Harding and Penn State linebacker. “It’s all about giving back to your community.”