Northwestern University Athletics
One-on-One with Shaun Herbert
11/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 2, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Don't let sophomore wide receiver Shaun Herbert's quiet personality fool you. No matter how soft-spoken he may be off the field, his play-making ability on the field is a loud demonstration of just how important he is to the success of the Wildcats.
To quote the movie Swingers: "He's the guy, behind the guy... behind the guy."
In other words, he may not be a flashy, speed-burner like fellow receiver Jonathan Fields or get 30 touches per game like running back Noah Herron, but Herbert is an understated if not essential cog in NU's offensive wheel.
Take Sept. 2 for example in the 'Cats season opener against TCU. NU is driving late in the fourth quarter. The clock is taunting the 'Cats with 13 seconds remaining. No room for error. Brett Basanez needs someone solid as a rock to go to. Herbert breaks open on a slant pass. Diving touchdown catch. Done deal. Herbert then casually flips the ball to the ref with the confidence of a 10-year veteran--seemingly unfazed by the importance of the catch--almost as if to say, "Been there, done that."
No gaudy, pom-pom-driven celebration. Just business as usual for Herbert. He finished the game with a quiet five catches for 43 yards and one not-so-quiet, monumental touchdown grab to send the game into overtime.
Outside of football, Herbert is just an all-around, cool customer off the field as well.
"I'm a pretty calm, laid-back person," Herbert said. "I just like to hang out with my friends, go to the movies, stuff like that."
His heart-stopping touchdown catch against TCU was like something out of a movie, and is a tribute to how hard he has worked to become a key performer in NU's receiver rotation. While red-shirting his freshman year, Herbert quietly studied veteran receivers Roger Jordan and Kunle Patrick.
"Those two guys were great for me to talk to and watch in practice and games for me to see how to become a great receiver," Herbert said.
The red shirt came off in 2003 and Herbert finished the season with a solid 10 catches for 105 yards in limited action. But with the TCU game this year, he has made it clear that it's his time to shine along with the rest of NU's talented receiving corps.
"We all worked really hard in the offseason with Brett and the running backs as far as getting our timing down and just becoming really comfortable with one another," Herbert said. "I feel like we're gelling really well right now."
Herbert is never one to toot his own horn, but with the receivers clicking, his numbers in the box score could be as loud as anyone's.
