Sports
Herman, Huynh Remain With Teams; Allen, Others Cut
< < Back toThis past weekend five former Bobcat football players took part in NFL rookie mini-camps with hopes of making a career in the NFL. Working alongside other rookies, free agents and select veterans, the former Bobcats were all vying for spots on crowded NFL rosters.
Former Ohio lineman Eric Herman, who was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants, had a strong performance over the weekend, but remains unsigned. Herman, a four-year starter for Ohio, took some snaps at center while also getting time next to Giants first-round pick Justin Pugh at right guard.
Herman has been heralded for his strength and versatility so far. He was a top performer at the NFL Combine, bench-pressing 225 pounds 36 times. He also recorded 335.5 pancake blocks during his playing career with Ohio. Following the first day of practices at Giants mini-camp, Herman was asked to explain what a pancake block was.
“It’s when you take your opponent to the ground, unwillingly,” Herman said to Art Stapleton, Giants beat writer for The Bergen (New Jersey) Record.
The Giants have an aging offensive line and after a solid weekend showing his versatility Herman could wind up with a roster spot heading into the season.
Former Ohio defensive lineman Neal Huynh, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons after the NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, also remains with his team following the weekend. The Falcons are relatively thin at the defensive tackle spot. Returning starter Jonathan Babineaux led all Falcons’ defensive tackles with 31 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. After Babineaux, though, the experience level and production drops off. Four Falcons defensive tackles have one year or less of experience, including Huynh. If he has a good summer Huynh could find himself with a roster spot and possibly even some time on the defensive line rotation this fall.
Skyler Allen also signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft, with the Detroit Lions. Allen was a two-year starter for Ohio at center. He was expected to fill a void in the offensive line depth, with the only center on the Lions roster being 13-year veteran and longtime starter Dominic Raiola. However, following the Lions mini-camp Allen was cut from the team according to PrideOfDetroit.com.
Former Bobcat wide receiver Bakari Bussey also attended the Lions mini-camp, as an unsigned free agent, but was not picked up following the three-day tryout. Former Ohio tight end Jordan Thompson, who took part in the Kansas City Chiefs mini-camp, and defensive end Tremayne Scott, who tried out for the Dallas Cowboys, also remained unsigned following the weekend.