Unfinished Business: Justin Herron
9/4/2019 1:58:00 PM | Football
Justin Herron, a sixth-year senior from Silver Spring, Md., is the only remaining player on the 2019 roster that was a part of coach Dave Clawson's first season in 2014.
From redshirting his freshman season to receiving a medical redshirt in 2018, in what was supposed to be his final season in Old Gold and Black, to deciding to come back for a sixth go-at-it, Herron has been a part of two 3-9 seasons, in addition to three bowl championship campaigns. Herron has watched the culture of Wake Forest football evolve and has played a critical role in teaching those following behind him what it means to be a part of the program.
"Sense of urgency" is the theme that Wake Forest has adopted for the 2019 season. The program has built upon the foundation set in Herron's redshirt freshman campaign, improving its depth on both sides of the ball while achieving the team's goals of reaching bowl games and beating in-state rivals. Herron would be the first person to tell you that the team believes it's ready to take the next step and enter the upper echelon of the conference. Checking off many team goals over the better part of five years could make many programs complacent. For Wake Forest, it's about taking the next step as a program and having a "sense of urgency".
Herron embodies this attitude perhaps better than anyone on the team. Had everything gone to plan, Herron would be on an NFL roster right now. A preseason third team All-ACC pick a year ago, Herron made his 38th career start in the season opener at Tulane, only to suffer a torn ACL, effectively ending his season.
"I was going through the game like I normally do but then tried a move that I had never done before," said Herron. "My body got into an awkward position, I heard a pop in my knee, and I fell to the ground. I had a lot of pain. I knew something was wrong."
The 2018 season was supposed to be the final chapter of Herron's journey in a Wake Forest uniform, bringing together all that he had learned with his fellow original "beef boys", Phil Haynes, Ryan Anderson and Patrick Osterhage. All four redshirted their freshman years and blocked for Wake Forest's record-setting offense that set school records for total offense and points in a season (2017).
As a result, the 2018 Demon Deacons were advertised as having one of the better offensive lines in the conference, if not the country. Herron, Haynes, Anderson and Osterhage were the focal reasons for such praise. With a torn ACL in the first game of the season, Herron would have to watch from the sidelines as his brothers played together for one final season.
"I learned that bad things happen but that it's more important how you respond to it," said Herron of his season-ending injury. "No matter what hand you're dealt, you have to have a positive outlook on everything you do. Knowing that I'm coming back has allowed me to attack it every day. It has helped me become a better player, teammate, teacher and student. It has taught me to enjoy the game better. Initially it was hard, not because of prospects of the NFL, but it was hard because I wouldn't have the opportunity to play with Phil, Ryan, or Patrick again."
Playing with those guys gave Herron a lot of great memories, including plenty of humorous moments in the middle of games. One of his favorite laughs came from one of their games against Louisville in which Herron, Haynes and Anderson were chatting with the Cardinals' defensive line.
"One of the defensive tackles said, 'hey 74, do you brush your teeth with dumbbells?' and that was the funniest thing I have ever heard in any game," recalled Herron. "It made me, Phil, Ryan and the Louisville defensive line laugh at the same time. Phil was just like, 'come on, man.'"
Having watched from the sidelines in 2018, Herron came to realize that he has more to give the program.
"In 2017, looking back on that season, I did not leave everything on the field," said Herron of his redshirt junior year. "I want to put all my effort and everything that I can into everything that I do—taking the practice reps just as serious as I would the game reps."
Such a mentality has had an effect on his teammates, indicative of the team voting him captain for the 2019 season.
Nick Tabacca, Herron's offensive line coach, says that the sixth-year senior leads by example through his work ethic, which in turn, gives him the respect of the locker room.
"He's leaving here a man, which is why we coach," said Tabacca of Herron. "It's been really rewarding to be a part of his life these past six years. He has matured so much to the extent that when he first got here, we were concerned about him academically, which was crazy given that he now has a 3.9 [GPA] and is in a graduate program."
Herron will leave Wake Forest with a double major in psychology and communication with a minor in business, in addition to the graduate program that he's taking this semester for liberal studies.
"My graduate program is great because it allows me to construct my own master's in a way. I can take both film and business classes, adding courses that fit my specific interests."
Tabacca believes that Herron has a great chance at an NFL career but believes he'll succeed in anything he sets his mind to.
As Herron approaches his final season as a Demon Deacon, he embraces the idea of a "sense of urgency" in that he believes there's unfinished business to settle.
"My unfinished business is leaving here as the best offensive linemen to have worn a Wake Forest jersey," said Herron.
At the beginning of 2019, Herron needs to start just 11 games to pass the great Steve Vallos for most career starts by a Deacon offensive lineman (48).
"I'm thankful that Jake and Nate are still here. We are going to complete what Phil, Ryan, Patrick and I were going to finish last year. We're going to show the country that Wake Forest is a great team."
This story appeared in the Utah State issue of Kickoff, the official gameday program of Wake Forest Football.
From redshirting his freshman season to receiving a medical redshirt in 2018, in what was supposed to be his final season in Old Gold and Black, to deciding to come back for a sixth go-at-it, Herron has been a part of two 3-9 seasons, in addition to three bowl championship campaigns. Herron has watched the culture of Wake Forest football evolve and has played a critical role in teaching those following behind him what it means to be a part of the program.
"Sense of urgency" is the theme that Wake Forest has adopted for the 2019 season. The program has built upon the foundation set in Herron's redshirt freshman campaign, improving its depth on both sides of the ball while achieving the team's goals of reaching bowl games and beating in-state rivals. Herron would be the first person to tell you that the team believes it's ready to take the next step and enter the upper echelon of the conference. Checking off many team goals over the better part of five years could make many programs complacent. For Wake Forest, it's about taking the next step as a program and having a "sense of urgency".
Herron embodies this attitude perhaps better than anyone on the team. Had everything gone to plan, Herron would be on an NFL roster right now. A preseason third team All-ACC pick a year ago, Herron made his 38th career start in the season opener at Tulane, only to suffer a torn ACL, effectively ending his season.
"I was going through the game like I normally do but then tried a move that I had never done before," said Herron. "My body got into an awkward position, I heard a pop in my knee, and I fell to the ground. I had a lot of pain. I knew something was wrong."
The 2018 season was supposed to be the final chapter of Herron's journey in a Wake Forest uniform, bringing together all that he had learned with his fellow original "beef boys", Phil Haynes, Ryan Anderson and Patrick Osterhage. All four redshirted their freshman years and blocked for Wake Forest's record-setting offense that set school records for total offense and points in a season (2017).
As a result, the 2018 Demon Deacons were advertised as having one of the better offensive lines in the conference, if not the country. Herron, Haynes, Anderson and Osterhage were the focal reasons for such praise. With a torn ACL in the first game of the season, Herron would have to watch from the sidelines as his brothers played together for one final season.
"I learned that bad things happen but that it's more important how you respond to it," said Herron of his season-ending injury. "No matter what hand you're dealt, you have to have a positive outlook on everything you do. Knowing that I'm coming back has allowed me to attack it every day. It has helped me become a better player, teammate, teacher and student. It has taught me to enjoy the game better. Initially it was hard, not because of prospects of the NFL, but it was hard because I wouldn't have the opportunity to play with Phil, Ryan, or Patrick again."
Playing with those guys gave Herron a lot of great memories, including plenty of humorous moments in the middle of games. One of his favorite laughs came from one of their games against Louisville in which Herron, Haynes and Anderson were chatting with the Cardinals' defensive line.
"One of the defensive tackles said, 'hey 74, do you brush your teeth with dumbbells?' and that was the funniest thing I have ever heard in any game," recalled Herron. "It made me, Phil, Ryan and the Louisville defensive line laugh at the same time. Phil was just like, 'come on, man.'"
Having watched from the sidelines in 2018, Herron came to realize that he has more to give the program.
"In 2017, looking back on that season, I did not leave everything on the field," said Herron of his redshirt junior year. "I want to put all my effort and everything that I can into everything that I do—taking the practice reps just as serious as I would the game reps."
Such a mentality has had an effect on his teammates, indicative of the team voting him captain for the 2019 season.
Nick Tabacca, Herron's offensive line coach, says that the sixth-year senior leads by example through his work ethic, which in turn, gives him the respect of the locker room.
"He's leaving here a man, which is why we coach," said Tabacca of Herron. "It's been really rewarding to be a part of his life these past six years. He has matured so much to the extent that when he first got here, we were concerned about him academically, which was crazy given that he now has a 3.9 [GPA] and is in a graduate program."
Herron will leave Wake Forest with a double major in psychology and communication with a minor in business, in addition to the graduate program that he's taking this semester for liberal studies.
"My graduate program is great because it allows me to construct my own master's in a way. I can take both film and business classes, adding courses that fit my specific interests."
Tabacca believes that Herron has a great chance at an NFL career but believes he'll succeed in anything he sets his mind to.
As Herron approaches his final season as a Demon Deacon, he embraces the idea of a "sense of urgency" in that he believes there's unfinished business to settle.
"My unfinished business is leaving here as the best offensive linemen to have worn a Wake Forest jersey," said Herron.
At the beginning of 2019, Herron needs to start just 11 games to pass the great Steve Vallos for most career starts by a Deacon offensive lineman (48).
"I'm thankful that Jake and Nate are still here. We are going to complete what Phil, Ryan, Patrick and I were going to finish last year. We're going to show the country that Wake Forest is a great team."
This story appeared in the Utah State issue of Kickoff, the official gameday program of Wake Forest Football.
Players Mentioned
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