With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.
In this edition, we examine St. Louis (Honolulu, HI) High School linebacker, Nick Herbig.
Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com
Herbig chose Wisconsin over other Offers from: Boise State, California, Hawaii, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt, and Washington
Herbig’s High School Accolades: Four–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…All–Hawaii Open Division Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2019…Helped led Saint Louis School to fourth consecutive Open Division state championship…Earned invitation to 2020 Polynesian Bowl
Herbig’s Impact as a Badger: Herbig was a big get for Wisconsin as the Badgers were able to land Herbig’s commitment from a place they don’t traditionally recruit, which is Hawaii. Herbig becomes the first player from Hawaii to sign with Wisconsin since 2014 when former offensive lineman Micah Kapoi signed with the Badgers.
Herbig was attracted to Wisconsin due to the Badgers recent success in placing linebackers into the NFL. Considering Wisconsin has had eight linebackers drafted dating back to the 2014 NFL Draft.
Due to Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense, it allows for Wisconsin’s linebackers to make plays and be able to create pressure in opponents backfields. Herbig should fit right in as his biggest strength is being able to create pressure in the opponents backfield.
Herbig has the ceiling to excel like his predecessors at the outside linebacker position in Wisconsin’s defense but before he does he’ll need to continue to develop new pass rushing moves if he wants to see the field early at Wisconsin.
Herbig is the second-highest rated player in the state of Hawaii behind Notre Dame linebacker commit Jordan Botelho as Herbig will enroll early at Wisconsin, which will give himself a good chance of potentially seeing early playing time. Spring football will allow him to continue to gain strength, gain familiarity with Wisconsin’s defense, and allow him to continue to develop as a player.
Herbig should be able to continue to add strength without losing any of his speed, which will be key. As Herbig is able to utilize his speed to cover from sideline-to-sideline allowing himself to track down the ball carrier. He’ll need to continue to gain comfort in pass sets but because of his athleticism and him taking good angles should allow him to hold up on passing downs too.
Herbig has the tools to be successful in Wisconsin’s defense as he works his way from contributor to potentially multi-year starter for Wisconsin’s defense as he looks to add his name to the other disruptive outside linebackers that have come before him.