I talked with rising Loyola QB Tommy Herion (LPI #17 QB) on leading the best team in the state, upcoming visits and schools he’s kept in touch with. One of the most humble kids I’ve interviewed.

You can find Tommy on Twitter @TommyHerion.

Tommy Herion

Quarterback
Loyola
Wilmette, IL

Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 185 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

LPI: Being a first year starter, what were the most important things you did this offseason and are now doing in practice so you can improve this season?

TH: Transferring in last year and being a part of that team was extremely helpful for me to understand what is required to be a great team. Emmett Clifford gave a great example of what a leader should do at all times. Also, coming into a new offense it was a learning experience to understand everything and why we were running what we ran. Emmett and coach Vradenburg were extremely helpful to me in adjusting. For this year, the important thing was just gaining chemistry with the guys. Throwing almost every day in the summer and watching countless hours of film was huge for us.

LPI: You don’t have any D1 offers right now, but you lead the best team in the state and are on a mission to prove to schools that you can play at the next level. What are your greatest strengths or why should a school offer you?

TH: I’m really not focused on playing to earn a scholarship right now. I truly believe everything will take care of itself in due time. My teammates and coaches really bring out the best in me. With the schools that are interested in me I hope they see that I play within our scheme and help put my team in a position to win.

LPI: Coming off a state championship, do you feel like you guys have a target on your back? If so, how do you deal with that pressure?

TH: For better or for worse, I would say we definitely have a target on our backs. Our coaches have made it clear to use that we are going to be everyone’s best game, which I think was pretty evident looking back at weeks 2 and 3 against Maine South and Mount Carmel respectively.

LPI: Offer or not, which schools have you kept in contact with the most?

TH: I’ve been talking to mostly the same schools I have been in contact with all summer. I’ve been talking to a few FBS schools in Wyoming and Kansas, but have mostly been talking to FCS schools in New Hampshire and Youngstown State.

LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any visits coming up?

TH: During spring and early summer I was able to take a lot of visits. I visited Miami of Ohio, New Hampshire, Iowa and FAU. Once summer camp started I was really just focused on getting ready for the season. I will probably start taking some gameday visits throughout the season, but I’m not exactly sure where and when just yet.

LPI: What’re your personal and team goals for this season?

TH: My personal goal is not have any regrets looking back on the year. It’s my senior year and I want to enjoy it and realize how lucky I am to be in the position I’m in. For team goals, it’s just to continue growing and improving week by week and finish the year how everyone wants to, with a state championship.

LPI: You guys have a few very highly recruited players in Jake Marwede, Ian Swenson and Jack Badovinac. Who are some of your teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may not be getting the recruiting attention they deserve?

TH: Those three are phenomenal players and deserve all the credit they received. I think it’s pretty clear that our O-line is extremely strong point in our team. John Brekke and Charlie Gross are receiving some attention, but Paddy Kotowski and Callum Brien are both extremely talented as well and have what it takes to play at the next level.

David Terrell and Jack Moran are both two great athletes and receivers who work extremely hard and definitely should be receiving more attention.

Our two running backs Kyle Rock and Hamid Bullie are both extremely talented players as well. Going up against our talented inside LBs (Anthony Romano and Graham Repp) everyday in summer made me realized how good they are too. In my opinion they are two of the best all around linebackers in the state.