While reviewing film of players headed to major Division I colleges to
try to decide who to include on Team United States in the Junior World
Championships, Cincinnati St. Xavier coach Steve Specht knew he had
someone who didn't fit that major college bill. His own linebacker, David Herman was headed to Holy Cross. While it's
not Michigan, USC or Ohio State, Specht knew Herman could hang with
those players.
While reviewing film of players headed to major Division I colleges to try to decide who to include on Team United States in the Junior World Championships, Cincinnati St. Xavier coach Steve Specht knew he had someone who didn't fit that major college bill.
His own linebacker, David Herman was headed to Holy Cross. While it's not Michigan, USC or Ohio State, Specht knew Herman could hang with those players.
"Originally when we first started getting in and looking at kids we wanted only scholarship players but as I looked closer and closer to the film I realized that David was as good if not better than these other kids with major college scholarships," said Specht, the team's defensive coordinator. "Then I said, 'I've got a guy who can play with these guys who I think would be perfect for this. David Herman was that guy."
Herman stands 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and helped lead St. Xavier to the Division I state championship in 2007 and is now helping Team USA at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.
"It's amazing looking down and seeing USA across your chest brings up so much excitement and it really gets you pumped up," Herman said.
Herman added that playing for his high school coach one more time has been even more special.
"Playing for coach Specht the last four years at St. X were the best four years of my life," said Herman. "He's the best coach I've ever had in any sport. When he asked me to do this with him one more time I was really excited."
Herman said the differences between Specht and head coach Chuck Kyle of St. Ignatius have been interesting to work with during his three weeks with Team USA.
"Coach Kyle's like a different version of coach Specht," said Herman with a smile. "He's a little more old fashioned, just as intense but intense in his own way. The two of them have a good balance."
Specht said the best thing about Herman is his ability to be a team player. As a second team linebacker, Specht said his player hasn't said one thing about it.
"Right now David's playing behind a guy named Storm Klein (an Ohio State recruit), maybe you've heard of him," said Specht with a laugh. "But David doesn't need to be the highlighted guy. He's such a quiet leader with great football knowledge and his patriotism and his love for the game is what is making him so valuable to our team.
"It was fantastic to see in practice what an impact David has made. One of our offensive line coaches, Ed Croson (of West Hills Chaminade High in California) said to me, 'I'll tell you what, your kid can flat out play,' and that was such a compliment. David's holding his own here. I think Holy Cross got a steal, I really do."
