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The measurements most commonly used to discuss players are height, weight and 40-yard dash time. Other indicators of overall athletic ability that many coaches like to consider are the vertical jump and standing broad jump.

Size and speed fluctuate by position, of course, and each of us can think of a Mike Mamula (a workout monster who can't play) or a Bill Bates type (a little too slow and too short but just makes play after play after play.

As a rule, a 40-yard dash under 4.6 is considered fast, under 4.5 is considered sensational. Vertical jumps over 36 inches are considered exceptional, and broad jumps of 9-feet-6-inches or more are thought to be sure indicators of athletic excellence.

With all that in mind, consider the following numbers:
Height: 6-0
Weight: 210
40-yard dash: 4.40
Vertical jump: 41 inches
Standing broad jump: 11'0"

Ladies and gentlemen: meet Julian Herron.

If he can jump a standing broad that well, imagine when she's lying down...

Yeah, I was watching him at the workouts on Monday, and wondered why nobody has talked about this kid. Very impressive looking athlete.

Just kidding. This kid must play.

Which LB spot would he fit in best. I'm thinking MIke, since Will probably has Sam sewn up and Odiari at Middle. That still leaves Victor Jones in the hunt.

sounds like a bigger, stronger, faster Wilton McCray....but man, put him at safety with wheels like that

Will is far from a shoe in at SAM.

pony warrior wrote:Which LB spot would he fit in best. I'm thinking MIke, since Will probably has Sam sewn up and Odiari at Middle. That still leaves Victor Jones in the hunt.

Don't forget about Smart in the middle

Surely we can find a spot for Herron in this lineup-at OLB, at ILB or SS. Another kid though that SMU is relying on that 1) missed spring practice and 2) has never played a down. I see how SMU could put together a relatively athletic, 1 deep defense IF EVERYTHING goes our way. It rarely does.

I think the term 'rarely' might still be too positive regarding how often things go our way.

Who said he's being relied upon? At the moment, he sounds like a very good athlete who is competing for a spot in the rotation — nothing more. Maybe he'll be a special teams guy, maybe he'll be in the mix on defense. What say we don't rush to dismiss — or even doubt — the guy just yet. PonyPride simply noted that he's fast and can job. Nobody said he was Putt Choate.
Yet.

scout/rivals link?

I'm relying on him-we need more athletes on the field. At the very least he would be a valuable player on third down passing downs.