Matt Herian

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Tight End
Matt Herian

College: Nebraska
Year: Senior
Height: 6’5"
Weight: 246
Birthday: October 7, 1983

Matt Herian is an H-bomb ready to detonate. That is, if only he can fully recover from the season-ending injuries he suffered midway through his junior year.

Herian’s explosiveness in the Husker passing game prior to his injury caught the eye of many observers. His willingness as a blocker has kept them interested. Prior to the major shift in offensive philosophy at Nebraska in 2004, Herian was a deep threat even as a tight end, averaging 22 yards per catch in 2003. While that figure was down in 2004 as part of a shorter Husker passing attack, Herian did at least start the season strong, even finishing second on the team in receptions for the entire year.

Despite his height, Herian is considered to be a bit thin as a tight end; he is therefore as much of an H-back prospect for the NFL as he is a tight end prospect. While Herian is light on his feet and always gives effort when blocking, he’s not overly physical and won’t be confused as a third tackle in the trenches on Sundays.

That slender size, however, allows Herian to slip through coverages between the linebackers and safeties. His breakaway speed once the ball is in his hands separates him from the pack as a top tight end prospect; that is, whenever Herian does enter the NFL draft. Thanks to a slow recovery following a broken leg (a bad enough break that he had a rod and screw inserted with his first surgery), Herian might be redshirted, and if so he could decide to use the extra eligibility to play one more year at Nebraska.

Herian has lost 20 pounds since the injury – not good for a guy already believed by scouts to be a little light in the butt – but there is believed to be no ligament damage, a positive sign for a full recovery, whenever that may be. Good news for fans is that Herian is a smart guy with strong work habits. A quiet guy with good character like Herian’s would be welcome around Reliant Park if he proves fully recovered.

(profile written by Keith Weiland)

Matt Herian’s 2004 Stats G CTH YDS AVG TD 8 24 308 12.8 3 Matt Herian Matt Herian Home

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