SB Nation - Mark Herzlich

Of Course Rutgers Produced As Many 2012 Super Bowl Players As Florida

Jason Kirk — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:12:29 -0000

The essential Pre-Snap Read does the roster-crunching to find this Super Bowl's best-represented college programs, and, as always, the football factory at Boston College cranked out as many potential champions as Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Texas and USC combined:

Boston College - 6 CB Will Blackmon, LB Mark Herzlich, LB Mathias Kiwanuka, OG Chris Snee (Giants); DE Ron Brace, C Dan Koppen (Patriots)

Rutgers - 5 CB Brandon Bing (Giants); CB Nate Jones, CB Devin McCourty, WR Tiquan Underwood, DE Alex Silvestro (Patriots)

Florida - 5 DE Justin Trattou (Giants); TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, DT Gerard Warren, LB Jermaine Cunningham (Patriots)

Mark Herzlich Survives NFL Cut Day, Makes New York Giants Roster

Gethin Coolbaugh — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:04:31 -0000

Mark Herzlich lives on defying the odds. When he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, doctor's told the then Boston College Eagles linebacker that he would never play football again. Not only did he return to play his entire senior season at BC, but he was also signed by an NFL team this preseason. Now, he's officially made the roster.

Herzlich survived NFL cut day, making the cut for the New York Giants 53-man roster, meaning that he will have the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing football in the National Football League.

At this point, it's not known how much playing time Herzlich will see with the Giants, if any. Recent reports out of the Big Apple indicated that Herzlich was waking a name for himself during Giants' practices and preseason games.

Herzlich finished his four-year Eagles career with 314 tackles and 11 interceptions.

For more BC Football coverage, visit our team page and blog, BC Interruption.

UFL Conducting Draft On Twitter, Jerry Glanville Eying NFL Undrafted Free Agents

Jason Kirk — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:30:01 -0000

The UFL, having seen its whole "Hey we're playing football even though the NFL isn't!" angle begin to evaporate, has settled on a more adventurous marketing initiative, electing to hold its 2011 player draft via Twitter. Former Atlanta Falcons coach Jerry Glanville, now of the Hartford Colonials, has the first overall pick and is rarin' to go.

Who exactly can be picked in a UFL draft? Well, this year, it's more interesting than ever. I'm assuming that, of course. Maybe one year it was super interesting for some other reason.

But this time, the NFL's undrafted free agents are totally fair game for the smaller league. Since NFL teams can't go after UDFA prospects, the UFL essentially has first dibs. Of course, any player that also gets an invite to a NFL camp once the lockout ends will likely ditch their United Football League team, but it's still great publicity, and -- who knows? -- they might be able to keep a few players that NFL clubs were also after.

Mainly just pumped to see what coach Glanville comes up with for pick No. 1. While it may be Mark Herzlich, because ... OK seriously, it will absolutely be Mark Herzlich, because Glanville loves defense, tough guys with personalities and adversity. We'll just need to make sure Herzlich also has either weird musical taste, a burning hatred for California or appreciation of NASCAR, but I don't see any way around that pick.

Mark Herzlich, Cancer Survivor, Has Inspirational NFL Draft Story

Brian Floyd — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:40:39 -0000

The road to the 2011 NFL Draft has been bumpy for Mark Herzlich but his back-story may be the best one of the week. In 2008, Herzlich was projected as a top-10 pick, but his career and life were suddenly put on hold as he was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors discovered a tumor in his left leg and he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. Though his chances for survival were high, his chances of ever playing football again were slim-to-none.

Herzlich sat out the 2009 season and underwent an intensive chemotherapy process to eradicate the cancer from his body. A 12-inch titanium rod was inserted in his leg to keep it stable, yet Herzlich kept fighting to get back on the field. Even as he prepared for the 2010 season, his final year at Boston College, Herzlich faced an uphill battle. A stress fracture in his foot kept him out of practice ahead of the season opener and a broken hand suffered in the fourth game of the year slowed his progress.

All he did was finish with 65 tackles and three interceptions in 2010 while fighting through the kind adversity most college football players never have to face. Herzlich was invited to the NFL Draft and made the trip to New York with the rest of the first round picks. It was a moment that seemed out of reach just two years ago.

If Herzlich's fight is any indication, he will succeed at the NFL level, no matter the odds.

Mark Herzlich Featured On NFL Network's 'Game Changers'

Gethin Coolbaugh — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:25:58 -0000

Boston College senior linebacker Mark Herzlich will be featured on an episode of "Game Changers" on the NFL Network early on Wednesday morning at 1 a.m. EDT.

Herzlich, who was once considered the the nation's top collegiate linebacker, will have his journey to the NFL Draft highlighted on the show, which debuted in late March. Here's the official description of Tuesday's show, which focuses on linebackers (via NFL.com).

''Game Changers: Linebackers'' - As the 2011 NFL Draft fast approaches, NFL Network takes you inside the lives of the best top draft prospects as former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci. sits down with these talented athletes, helping them prepare for what lies ahead on the field, and also, allowing the audience to get to know them off it.

Herzlich totaled 314 tackles, 11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three sacks in four seasons at Boston College. Herzlich missed the entire 2009 season after battling and overcoming Ewing's Sarcoma.

In addition, Herzlich said on a status update on Facebook that the show will also feature former New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, who played for the Patriots for 12 seasons from 1994 through 2005.

Mark Herzlich, Anthony Castonzo Will Participate In Senior Bowl

Ryan Hudson — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:25:05 -0000

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich took his first step to taking his game to the next level when he signed with CAA on Tuesday. He'll be represented by agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, the same two who represent former Eagle quarterback Matt Ryan.

Wait! More Mark Herzlich news!

Along with OL and first-round 2011 NFL Draft candidate Anthony Castonzo, Herzlich will take part in the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl.

Herzlich was third on the team in total tackles (65) and solo stops (50), led the Eagles in forced fumbles (2) and was second in interceptions (4) and pass break ups (4). He garnered numerous honors during the year including winning the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award and the Rudy Award.

Castonzo was a first team All-ACC selection this season while also earning All-American honors from Walter Camp and the Associated Press. He set a new Boston College record with his 54th start in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Castonzo started every game since arriving on campus in 2007.

The Senior Bowl is Saturday, January 29, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. It will be televised by the NFL Network.

VIDEO: Ted Williams' Kraft Commercial Set To Debut During Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Ryan Hudson — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:06:23 -0000

When you tune into Sunday night's Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl between No. 13 Nevada and Boston College (9 p.m. EST, ESPN), you'll obviously see the Wolfpack's Colin Kaepernick and Vai Taua, and the Eagles' Mark Herzlich and Luke Kuechly. But the most famous person Sunday night won't be on the field. And won't even be seen. He'll be heard.

Ted Williams, the homeless man from Ohio with the golden voice who has captivated America this week, has not only already received a job offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers, but has also already recorded his first voiceover, for a new Kraft Macaroni & Cheese commercial, set to debut during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl:

Kraft hired Williams after seeing his video from the Columbus Dispatch online.

Lynne Galia, a spokeswoman for Northfield-based Kraft, said the company saw his YouTube video this week and began talking with its advertising agency about working Williams into the campaign.

"We were moved by his story and his amazing voice," she said, adding that it was "perfectly suited" for the mac and cheese campaign. "We were in the middle of making our TV spots and in a unique position to help Ted use his great voice and also provide him employment."