UNI's Herring runs his feet, not his mouth

By Nancy Justis

CEDAR FALLS -- Senior wide receiver and sprint specialist Jarred Herring is a self-described “introvert”. You'd never know that by watching the University of Northern Iowa two-sport all-star on the field or on the track.

He prepares for competition by spending “alone time” with God and reflecting on what's going on in his life.

“I don't get too serious too far in advance,” Herring said. “I work hard but I have fun. Getting too serious too fast is going to drain you.”

Herring is the Panthers' leading receiver with 31 catches for 475 yards and five TDs, averaging 15.3 yards per catch. Never redshirted, he has caught 103 passes for 1,810 yards and 17 TDs. He has moved into a tie for 10

^th

place on UNI's career list for reception TDs.

For the second time in his career, he caught two touchdown passes in an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) playoff game last Saturday in UNI's 28-21 win against Wofford. He also caught two in a first-round win over Maine in 2008.

Herring moved to Burlington, Iowa from Danville, Ill., when he was six years old. He grew up playing basketball and running track. He didn't start playing football until his move to Iowa. “I was kind of a late bloomer in football,” he said. He played basketball through his junior year at Burlington High School. An ankle injury his senior year in football prevented him from playing basketball again. He has participated in track since third grade.

Having played defensive back, running back and receiver, Herring says he much prefers the receiver position. “Definitely receiver,” he said. “That's where you're out in space. At running back you run into the linemen and linebackers. (At receiver) I'm usually out there with guys my size. I like to have the chance to make a move and make somebody miss (me).”

That doesn't mean he minds getting hit. Herring also is the Panthers' top kick returner, averaging 25.2 yards on 14 returns.

Herring was recruited to UNI first for track. In high school, he won the Drake Relays 100-meter dash in 2007 and 2008 and won two state titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. At UNI, he was a member of the honorable mention all-America 4x100m relay team that captured the MVC crown and was the league's champion in the 100m outdoors.

“Track is my favorite sport,” he said. “I think because of the speed. Even in football speed is my biggest asset.”

Because of his success on the gridiron his senior year at Burlington, however, Herring did not want to give up football. He was looking at Arkansas and TCU for track during the recruiting process. None of the larger schools said he could play both sports. “Some of the (MVC) schools said I could compete in both (sports),” he said, “but they weren't really as good in both sports (as UNI).”

Herring earned Capital One Academic All-District first team honors in District VI this year. He owns a 3.61 grade point average with a double major in psychology and family services. He plans on continuing his education in seminary school after graduating in May, earning his master's in Christian Education. Both his parents are in the ministry and his older sister is attending seminary school now.

“I want to get into urban ministry,” Herring said. “I want to work with youth. All the careers I've looked at really stem from the same thing. I really like working with kids and impacting kids' lives. I've worked sports camps. I have a little brother now through Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I'm on the leadership staff for Fellowship of Christian Athletes here and I'm also a small group leader for our football Bible study that we do every week.”

Herring admits being a two-sport athlete at the collegiate level and maintaining high grades can be difficult. “You just have to manage your time,” he said. “I like to be busy. When I have a lot of free time I don't get much done. I write a lot of lists to keep myself on task. I set small goals because it's easy to be overwhelmed by the things you have to do.”

Herring says that his football career winding down didn't “register with me until last week when it was Thursday and I thought this could be my last practice at UNI, may be my last game at UNI. It'll be a life change not to have sports as playing as big a role in my life as it does. I don't want it to end. I'm focused to play for another day.”

As much as athletics has meant to him, track or football after college is not a dream for Herring. “I love to do it and I've been blessed to get an education and to get to where I am today. I'll be happy to get my degree in May and happy to continue my education.

“I play for the glory of God. I really believe I was blessed with the ability and it's not because I deserve it at all but I've been blessed and want to take advantage of the opportunity every day. I don't slack off because there are a lot of people in a lot of different places who don't have the opportunity to do what I do.”