How Good Is Jordan Herdman? (His Dad Played for the Argos)

[jerrym]

I didn't know where to put this thread as Jordan Herdman does not play in the CIS, but is a Canadian linebacker playing Division II NCAA football at Simon Fraser University. Last year, as a 20-year-old sophomore, he smashed the GNAC single-season defensive tackle record with 165 tackles - an average of 15 a game - and 66 ahead of his nearest rival. Along the way he broke the single game tackle record with 27, won GNAC defensive player of the year, made the All-Conference team, and had a 3.99 (out of 4.00) academic GPA in Biomedical Physiology. Furthermore, Jordan's father, James Reid, played linebacker for the Argos as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan. His twin brother, Justin, also made the GNAC All-Conference team playing for SFU.
At 6-2, 231 could Jordan end up a number 1 CFL draft choice or go to the NFL after his senior year?


Interestingly, he is coached by Solomon Elimimian’s brother, Abe. The article described Jordan in the following manner:

None (of the players he coaches) are brighter than the sophomore linebacker Jordan Herdman. ...
Herdman doesn’t watch CFL or NFL games on TV because his daily schedule “operates on a fixed amount of time.” But he does put in more video study because of Solomon Elimimian’s influence. The Lion taught him that there is an intellectual component to football, and that game preparation doesn’t start and end with on-field practice.

“If there’s one thing I learned from him it’s how to be a student of the game,” Herdman said. “Before, I didn’t spend as much time with film work as I do now. He stressed the importance of that. I feel it’s helped me grow as a player.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/L...370/story.html

http://athletics.sfu.ca/roster.aspx?...&path=football

[OV Argo]

I didn't know where to put this thread as Jordan Herdman does not play in the CIS, but is a Canadian linebacker playing Division II NCAA football at Simon Fraser University. Last year, as a 20-year-old sophomore, he smashed the GNAC single-season defensive tackle record with 165 tackles - an average of 15 a game - and 66 ahead of his nearest rival. Along the way he broke the single game tackle record with 27, won GNAC defensive player of the year, made the All-Conference team, and had a 3.99 (out of 4.00) academic GPA in Biomedical Physiology. Furthermore, Jordan's father, James Reid, played linebacker for the Argos as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan. His twin brother, Justin, also made the GNAC All-Conference team playing for SFU.
At 6-2, 231 could Jordan end up a number 1 CFL draft choice or go to the NFL after his senior year?


Interestingly, he is coached by Solomon Elimimian’s brother, Abe. The article described Jordan in the following manner:


http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/L...370/story.html

http://athletics.sfu.ca/roster.aspx?...&path=football

Herdman had a phenomenal season, and for a sophomore - amazing tackle numbers and conference D player of the year = some CFL teams should be keeping a close eye on this guy leading up to his draft year, and maybe could draw NFL interest as well.

SFU producing some very good talent; receiver Lamar Durant - up this CFL draft - maybe one of the most talented Canadian receivers to come along in quite awhile - big target, looks quite fast and had a fantastic receiving season there a couple of years back; i'll bet this guy makes the NFL though.

[jerrym]

I realized that I spelled Jordan Herdman's father's last name wrong. He was James Reed, not James Reid. Here is the dad's CFL and NFL profile, in case anyone remembers him.

Reed was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 1977 and released during the 1978 season. The Montreal Alouttes signed Reed in March of 1979, but he didn't play any games for them before being released in August of 1979 and picked up by Winnipeg. Reed played for Winnipeg in 1979, 1980 and 1981, missed the 1982 season and was released by the Bombers in September of 1983. The Montreal Concordes picked up Reed for the final regular season game and rleased him in November. Reed played in the USFL for the New Orleans Breakers and the Washing ton Federals in 1984 and 1985 before returning to the CFL by signing with the Saskatchewan Roughrides in February of 1985. Reed played three games for the Riders before being released in July and picked up by Toronto in August of 1985.

1979	WPG	12	1	20	20	0	20
1980	WPG	15	3	21	7	0	21
1981	WPG	16	1	48	48	0	48
1983	MON	1	0	0	0	0	0
1983	WPG	1	0	0	0	0	0
1985	TOR	4	0	0	0	0	0
1985	SASK	3	2	0	0	0	0

1979	WPG	2	0	0	0	0	0
1980	WPG	0	0	0	0	0	0
1981	WPG	1	0	0	0	0	0
1983	MON	0	0	0	0	0	0
1983	WPG	0	0	0	0	0	0
1985	TOR	0	0	0	0	0	0
1985	SASK	0	0	0	0	0	0

No tackle statistics were kept for these years.
Reed had one blocked kick in 1981.

http://www.cflapedia.com/Players/r/reed_james.htm

1977	22	PHI		57	4	0	3
Career					4	0	3

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...R/ReedJa20.htm

[jerrym]

SFU's Jordan Herdman has had another outstanding year as a junior at SFU. It will be interesting to see what happens next year when he is draft eligible.
By the way, there looks like there are some other very good players at SFU, his twin brother, Justin.

[QUOTE]For the second straight year Simon Fraser University linebacker Jordan Herdman was the unanimous repeat selection as Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Clan placed six players on the All-Conference team.

Herdman was the coaches' selection for Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The junior led the GNAC and finished the regular season ranked fifth in Division II with an average of 14.8 tackles per game. He also led the league in tackles for loss and was ranked third in Division II with eight solo tackles per game. Herdman's season was capped by a 26-tackle performance against Humboldt State on Oct. 31, one short of his own GNAC single game record. He set a conference record with 17 solo tackles in that contest.

Herdman was named to the All-Conference First Team along with his brother, linebacker Justin Herdman, defensive lineman Quinn Horton, and offensive lineman Michael Couture. All were unanimous selections by conference coaches. Selected to the All-Conference Second Team were running back Ante Milanovic-Litreand wide receiver Justin Buren.
[/QUOTE]

http://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2015/11/18/FB_1118153736.aspx

[jerrym]

Jordan Herdman made another Outstanding list also, leading the GNAC All-Academic list. Such capability could help make him a better pro football player.

For the second year in a row, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s (GNAC) top defensive player is also at the top of the list of academic performers.
Simon Fraser’s Jordan Herdman, the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, leads the list of 49 selections to the GNAC Football All-Academic Team.
Herdman, who led the conference and finished third in Division II with 14.8 tackles per game, has maintained a 3.99 cumulative grade point average, out of a possible 4.33, as a biomedical physiology major.
Joining Herdman on the Academic All-Conference team are his twin brother Justin Herdman and junior Andrew Pauls, who also both study biomedical physiology. All three student athletes are repeat selections.

https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2...mic-stars.html

[OV Argo]

Jordan Herdman sounds like a sure-fire CFL 1st rounder - but he might even draw NFL interest - 2 time conference D player of the year as a sophomore & a Junior with record breaking tackle stats = OUTSTANDING.

That big DT Quinn Horton sounds like a good CFL prospect too - and should be up this draft maybe (listed as a Senior) ? Sometimes now forget about SFU as a historic supplier of good CFL talent, but they are playing Div II ball now, and a lot of very good football talent out of BC it seems.

Thanks for the links / info jerrym

[jerrym]

I wonder if a team might try to pull a Sedin and try to draft both Jordan Herdman and his twin brother Justin, who is also a pretty good football player at SFU and was also a first team All-Star in the Division II NCAA GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference), possibly by trading up. Twins often interact in a special way, as evidenced in the Sedins.

[paulwoods13]

I wonder if a team might try to pull a Sedin and try to draft both Jordan Herdman and his twin brother Justin, who is also a pretty good football player at SFU and was also a first team All-Star in the Division II NCAA GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference), possibly by trading up. Twins often interact in a special way, as evidenced in the Sedins.

Hey OV, who were those twin DBs Ottawa had in the 1980s (I think)? Maybe from Simon Fraser?

[gilthethrill]

Hey OV, who were those twin DBs Ottawa had in the 1980s (I think)? Maybe from Simon Fraser?

Glen and Gary Cook....from University of Richmond I think.

I am curious as to why Herman has not cracked the top 20 prospect list after 2 great years at SFU?

[1argoholic]

Please don't ever talk about The Twins (Sedins) on here EVER again. One reason we moved back to Ontario was so we didn't have to hear The Twins...The Twins..The Twins on BC stations anymore. The Leprechaun look a likes piss me off.

[AngeloV]

Please don't ever talk about The Twins (Sedins) on here EVER again. One reason we moved back to Ontario was so we didn't have to hear The Twins...The Twins..The Twins on BC stations anymore. The Leprechaun look a likes piss me off.

The Twins!!

LOL!!

[jerrym]

Here are video highlights of Jordan Herdman playing at SFU. He displays the strong drive and great confidence typical of dominant athletes.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iFW8r5GJpE

[jerrym]

As Canadian Jordan Herdman starts his senior year at SFU having already won the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year the last two years, the question arises where he might be selected in next year's CFL and even NFL draft. The fact that he is also an outstanding academic performer who is bright, hard-working and goal-oriented may increase his draft position.

Ask Jordan Herdman how he goes about setting his goals, and his answer gets right to the heart of the matter.
“I always say that you shoot for the best bar that you can,” explains the Clan’s hard-rock middle linebacker. “So just like in everything that I do, I shoot for the stars.”
What that’s added up to for Herdman is a unique distinction as not only the best overall football player in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, but it’s brightest as well.
For the second straight season, Herdman not only led the GNAC in tackles, with 14.8 tackles per game, he also produced the conference’s highest grade point average at 3.99, as a biomedical physiology major no less.
“My parents are hard-working people and I guess it just rubbed off on us,” continues the soft-spoken Herdman, whose twin brother Justin is both his defensive teammate and classmate in biomedical physiology, averaging 9.2 tackles and a 3.55 GPA. “My mom and dad stressed the importance of getting and education and how knowledge is power.”
Yet as gifted as he is, Jordan Herdman doesn’t just roll out of bed, show up at class and pull down straight A’s. “I talked with someone who shared a room with the brothers on a road trip and he said ‘I woke up at 3 a.m. and they were both in opposite corners of the room studying,” says SFU’s NCAA program coordinator Laura Reid. “There are no shortcuts. You just have to work really hard.”
And Herdman knows what he wants. “I hope to get into medical school and get into radiology,” he says. But before that happens, a pro football career will likely beckon. “I’ve dreamt about all of this my whole life,” he adds, “and it feels so good that it’s all coming together now.”

http://theprovince.com/sports/univer...hardly-average

[OV Argo]

As Canadian Jordan Herdman starts his senior year at SFU having already won the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year the last two years, the question arises where he might be selected in next year's CFL and even NFL draft. The fact that he is also an outstanding academic performer who is bright, hard-working and goal-oriented may increase his draft position.


http://theprovince.com/sports/univer...hardly-average

I wonder if Herdman might draw some NFL interest - not likely to be a top prospect being from Div II ball, but he might get a look - late round pick or undrafted FA ?

Rather see him in the CFL; might be good enough to come in and start at MLB right away for a team in need; hometown Bombers would be wise or lucky to get him maybe; wouldn't mind the Argos taking him either, but there might be lots of other needs draft time, and Herdman likely picked early.

[doubleblue]

Should be the top 15 prospect list coming out shortly. Don't know of many NCAA Canadian Seniors this year. RB Akeem Lynch 5'11 220 at Nevada would be a good one for the Argos to pick up, if he's not too big for Milanovich's back field.

[OV Argo]

Should be the top 15 prospect list coming out shortly. Don't know of many NCAA Canadian Seniors this year. RB Akeem Lynch 5'11 220 at Nevada would be a good one for the Argos to pick up, if he's not too big for Milanovich's back field.

The CFL should have their first (September) Scouting Combine list of top prospects for next year's draft out soon ?

I was going to put out my own list of a top 15 - try to do it soon on the CFL Forum here.

As far as US Div I college ball Canucks for the 2017 CFL draft - Elie Ankou - 6-3, 305 starting DT at UCLA; and massive (6-9, 336) O-lineman (starting guard) Mason Woods (Idaho), are maybe the top 2, but Herdman is top of this class IMO (unless he was to post very poor Combine testing #s).

[jerrym]

Jordan and his twin brother Justin are having another outstanding season at SFU in Division II NCAA football.

The bond between brothers is a unique one – part best friends, and part lifelong rivals.

However, for the SFU Clan football team's twin senior linebackers, Jordan and Justin Herdman, it definitely leans towards the former.

"He's my best friend, no question," said Justin. "I mean we've been together for almost every day the past 22 years. We spend almost all day together, and do the same stuff. We've always been by each other's side, so yeah, I would say we're pretty close."

Nearly as central to their relationship is the competition between the pair – driving the other to excellence.

"We definitely push each other in everything," laughed Jordan. "I want to beat him, and he wants to beat me, but it's more of a friendly competition. As much as we want to beat each other in whatever we do, I still want him to succeed, and he wants the same for me. At the end of the day, that helps us continue to get better."

Considering the duo are consistently mentioned among the top defensive players in NCAA Division II football, with Jordan taking home GNAC Defensive Player of the Year two years running, their system appears to be working. ...

http://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2016/9/...u-defence.aspx

[jerrym]

Jordan Herdman has broken the all-time career tackles record for the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference this season.

Herdman, the two-time defending GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, etched his name into the GNAC Career Record Book Saturday with four solo tackles and five assists, breaking the all-time total tackles record of 385 set by Central Washington's Buddy Wood from 2005 to 2009. Herdman began the season with 315 tackles and after Saturday's game now has 393. Last weekend, Herdman became the GNAC's all-time leader in assisted tackles too.

http://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2016/9/...u-defence.aspx

[jerrym]

While Herdman hopes to be drafted by the CFL or NFL, with his 3.99 Grade Point Average he is also considering going to medical school. Should he choose football his discipline in using time management so effectively both on and off the field and his innate skills are likely to make him a highly successful player.

Fourth-year student Jordan Herdman is faced with a tough decision in his final year at Simon Fraser University—should he play professional football or become a physician?
Both are very real possibilities for Herdman, a middle line backer for the SFU Clan, and the two-time (2015 and 2016) Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Defensive Player of the Year.
That’s because he’s as successful off the field as he is on it. He’s just completing a major in biomedical physiology (BPK), with a 3.99 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.33, leading all football players on the GNAC All-Academic team.

https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2...ed-school.html

[jerrym]

Jordan Herdman led the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in tackles for the third consecutive year with 113 while his twin brother Justin finished seventh with 73 tackles.
http://files.streamlinehosting.net/g...s.htm#conf.wi2

Both have decided to pursue a professional football career before becoming doctors. Their coach, former BC Lion Kelly Bates, foresees them being very successful in the CFL.

Jordan, the middle linebacker who was named a pre-season first team All-American by The Sporting News, is so talented that he has established virtually every tackling standard in the GNAC record book, including most tackles in a career (420), season (165) and a game (27).
Justin, an outside linebacker, has been just as important, funnelling the traffic Jordan’s way and still finding a way to make 207 career tackles.

Humble and respectful beyond reasonable belief, the Winnipeg siblings are also among the top of their class as pre-med students studying biomedical physiology. ...
Simon Fraser head coach Kelly Bates, a former Lion, has seen the work Elimimian and Bighill put in. And it’s no coincidence that he sees the same thing with the Herdmans, whom many feel will enjoy ultra-productive CFL careers of their own. ...
And Bates will tell you that the reason they are both so good is because they revel in their twin-ness, in the end embracing it as the biggest part of their identity.
“My brother is the one who makes me better,” begins Jordan, the reigning two-time GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, who has roomed with Justin the past four seasons. “I wouldn’t be here without him because he is the person who has the same mindset and the same goals as me. We push each other because in everything we do; we are always in competition.”
The brothers — Justin, who is two minutes younger than Jordan — are going to test the professional football waters before eventually taking out their stethoscopes.