KFBCA Top 11: Nick Herzog

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 5th and 6th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Blue Valley offensive lineman Nick Herzog's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Nick Herzog, OL, 6-4, 280, Blue Valley

After a week one loss to eventual 6A state champions Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley reeled off eight straight wins before suffering their only other loss in the second round of the playoffs to a determined Blue Valley West team.

The success of coach Allen Terrell’s team centered around a strong group of seniors, his Northwestern-bound all-state offensive lineman, Nick Herzog, among them. Terrell called Herzog a “technician” and praised his big offensive lineman for what’s under his helmet, as much as what’s under his pads.

“Nick is extremely intelligent,” Terrell said. "His understanding of our scheme and proper mechanics to execute it allowed him to excel throughout his career with us. His intelligence and ability to quickly communicate front recognition and assignment changes helped his teammates on the offensive line as well.”

Herzog led an offensive line that freed up two backs to rush for over 1,000 yards on the season, as well as a quarterback that threw for over 1,500 yards.

“As always, there is room for improvement, obviously I’m not excluded from that,” Herzog said. “However, our line (seniors Ben Marshall, Andrew Long, Ben Vasquez and junior Logan Heisdorffer) was a key part in our offensive success this year. We gave our offensive coordinators options when it came to game planning, which allowed us to install more packages and schemes than we ever have during my career at Blue Valley High. I’m extremely proud of our five guys up front, and our tight ends and heavy backs that came in with our ‘Rhino’ package that had a ‘can’t be beat’ mentality. This group of guys made it extremely fun to be a part of BV football and are a group that I won’t forget.”

While some of Blue Valley’s offensive wrinkles were new, Herzog’s place on the team was long established through the example he set.

“Nick’s role for us has pretty much always been a leadership role,” Terrell said. “He is a natural positive leader who leads more by example than vocally. You can’t lead if you can’t play, and Nick’s ability to play at a high level elevated those around him.”

At 6-4, 280 pounds, the DI bound offensive lineman has the physical tools and intangibles college coaches drool over, and he’ll take those tools to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he committed prior to the season.

Given what he’d seen out of his star O-lineman in past years, the pitfall of complacency in college is not something Terrell is worried about for Herzog.

“Nick will excel at the next level because of his maturity and work ethic,” Terrell said. “He has a very professional mindset and takes coaching extremely well.”

Herzog’s enthusiasm is rightfully high for what lies ahead in his football future, and beyond.

“I’m extremely excited about the opportunities I’ll have at Northwestern,” Herzog said. “Not only do I get to compete in the BIG 10, but Northwestern provides plenty of opportunities outside of football as well. I believe that in choosing Northwestern I not only set myself up for the next four years, but for the next forty as well.”