NFL team’s facilities have yet to open up due to the coronavirus pandemic that has put normal in-person offseason programs to a halt.
However, that hasn’t affected player’s preparations for the upcoming season, including rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert, the Chargers’ first-round pick, recently moved from Eugene, OR to Orange County, CA. He said his drive from Oregon to California took 15 hours because of a semi-truck accident, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.
Herbert has already begun working out with tight end Hunter Henry, along with some other of his teammates.
Henry was the first player from the team to reach out to him after he was drafted, and since Herbert moved down to California they have both been in the early stages of creating a connection.
Herbert said he’ll start throwing to Henry and wide receiver Keenan Allen at some point over the next few weeks.
After finding out that he was going to be coming to the Chargers, Herbert wasted no time getting ready for his professional career. He said he takes pride in his preparation and he said when it comes time to get to the field he will be ready to go.
Herbert saw his dreams come true twice in a five-year span.
Back when he attended Sheldon High School, Herbert, the three-sport athlete, only received scholarship offers from Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Montana State after suffering a broken leg in his junior season.
Herbert was leaning towards declaring for the MLB draft or going to Montana State to play alongside his brother. However, a dominant senior season landed him a scholarship to play at the University of Oregon.
Upon arriving to school, Herbert lifted the Ducks’ football program from four wins in 2016 to 12 wins, a Pac-12 title and champions of the Rose Bowl all within this past season.
Now an NFL quarterback, Herbert will look to elevate the Chargers as they start a new era at the position. Tyrod Taylor will likely start the season as the team’s starter, but that time will be beneficial for Herbert’s growth before taking the reins.