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TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki 
One of the main reasons for the success of the Rocket defense this year is because of sophomore free safety Tyrrell Herbert. The first year starter is 2nd on the team in tackles with 38. He is also 2nd in the nation with 5 forced fumbles. On the field he is an aggressive and hard hitting defender who is next in line in a tradition of great free safeties at Toledo. Names like Andy Boyd and Patrick Body come to mind when thinking of hard hitting free safeties at Toledo. And now we have Tyrrell Herbert.Tyrrell is a 6-2, 190 pound sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA. After spending time backing up another Pittsburgh native in Patrick Body last season, Herbert has become the starting free safety for the Rockets. On the field he is quickly becoming known as a hard-hitter and aggressive player that causes turnovers. Off the field he is a soft-spoken and well-mannered individual. Tyrrell went to Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh, PA. His senior season he led the team in tackles and had 4 interceptions on his way to being named "All-Conference" at safety. He went to the same high school as former UT cornerback Brandon Hefflin, which helped in UT getting him. "He made a big impact in me coming to Toledo" said Tyrrell. Another big reason for Tyrrell coming to Toledo was because of ESPN. "The first time I saw Toledo on TV they won big and that got my attention." The third reason that heavily influenced Herbert to come to Toledo was the coaching staff. Toledo hosts Buffalo this Saturday, but it was the last time the Rockets hosted Buffalo (2003) when Tyrrell made a visit to Toledo and met Head Coach Tom Amstutz for the first time. Herbert told me that Coach Amstutz had a good sense of humor and he could tell he was a good coach that cared about his players.  Last season Tyrrell Herbert played in 9 games for the Rockets, making two tackles. This season he has been a part of a huge improvement in defense. Toledo is near the top of the MAC in every defensive statistical category. Defensive Coordinator Tim Rose is in his first year at Toledo and his players are responding to his coaching. "Coach brings a lot of energy and we feed off of that" Tyrrell told me when I asked him about Coach Tim Rose. "There are 11 of us playing together as a team and we practice hard."
Tyrrell is currently majoring in Communications and is considering a career in either broadcast or journalism after his playing days are over. He has plenty of time to figure that out though. He is just 19 years old and a sophomore at Toledo. Over the next couple of years Tyrrell will be working towards a college degree while getting to play the game of football for a quality Division I-A University. Just a few years ago he was watching Brandon Hefflin and Toledo on TV while in high school. Now others are getting the opportunity to watch him play for the Rockets on national TV. A dream becomes a reality.Q and A with Tyrrell Herbert: RF.Net - What is your favorite movie? Tyrrell - I Spy. Anchorman was really good too. RF.Net - Does your family get the chance to watch you play much? Tyrrell - Yes, they are really supportive of me. RF.Net - What has been your best moment at UT? Tyrrell - My first start, against Western Illinois. RF.Net - Your five forced fumbles is 2nd in the nation. What is your secret? Tyrrell - We practice creating turnovers and it has become 2nd nature. I've been in the right place at the right time. RF.Net - Do you try to pattern your style on the field around another football player, college or professional? Tyrrell - Keon Jackson and Antonio Malone. Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |