VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/week-5-in-state-blitz-2023-edge-evan-herrmann
STRENGTHS
Evan Herrmann looked like a legit 6-foot-6 athlete on Friday night in a matchup with Brookfield Central. Playing on the edge - both with his hand down and standing up at times - the senior from Sussex Hamilton is an intriguing prospect for Wisconsin, among other schools, on the recruiting front this fall.
Not only does Herrmann have legit height, he also has a huge wingspan. This works to his advantage in defending the pass and affecting throwing lanes at the line of scrimmage. He needs to get a stronger - a lot stronger - but I thought Herrmann more than held his home at the point of attack and set the edge well against the Lancers’ run-heavy offense.
Herrmann moves really well for his size. Earlier this year, he placed seventh at state in the 110-meter hurdles, and that track speed showed on the field. Whether it was with a burst at the snap of the ball or being the first one down the field on kick coverage, Herrmann is a long strider who can eat up space quickly. I also thought he was disruptive when the action was directed to his side while also tracking down plays from the backside well all evening.
Overall, Herrmann is raw but there’s a lot to like here. He’s a high-ceiling athlete schools are looking for at this point on the recruiting calendar. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks for him.
REMAINING QUESTIONS
How much weight will Herrmann gain? There’s no doubt he has to bulk up, but is he a tight end or outside linebacker who plays at 240-ish pounds? Or does he explode in a college strength and nutrition program and add 70 pounds? I don’t think that’s completely out of the question. To steal a line from Matt Perkins, Herrmann is all arms and legs right and he has plenty of room to fill out.
Can he play tight end in college? This was my lasting impressions, as Herrmann didn’t take any offensive snaps on Friday evening. But through a Wisconsin lens, I think he could fit nicely into the 2023 class at that spot. Herrmann could be a big pass-catching option for the Badgers because of his speed and athleticism.
Can Herrmann cover? I don’t think Herrmann dropped back into coverage at all on Friday, but he may not have to do much of that on the boundary in college. That’s a question schools likely have if he’s going to play outside linebacker at the next level.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Herrmann was not a kid who was on my radar even just a few weeks ago. But after his tape began to circulate this month, he landed an offer from Vanderbilt. Strong interest is also coming from Wisconsin, Iowa, Iowa State and Michigan State, among others. Herrmann’s visit schedule is as follows:
9/10 Iowa
9/17 Iowa State
10/1 Wisconsin
10/8 Vanderbilt
10/15 Michigan State
It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback Herrmann gets during his visit on Oct. 1. He assumes the Badgers like him on the edge, but the bigger need in this class is at tight end. The Spartans have had early discussions with Herrmann about playing on the offensive side of the ball, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Herrmann labeled a “jumbo athlete” (much like Ben Barten a few cycles ago) who can play a few different spots.
If Herrmann’s an outside linebacker who could potentially grow into a defensive end, Bobby April will have to decide how he stacks up with Jordan Mayer, who seems to have a similar build and skill-set. Can you take two (likely) boundary edge prospects in this class, or do you need a quicker pass-rusher who can also drop back into coverage (i.e. Tackett Curtis)?
If you think Herrmann can play tight end, this seems like a no-brainer. Who else is on Wisconsin’s board at the position outside of Ryder Kurtz? I’m really not sure.
Because the upside is so high here, I’d find a spot for Herrmann in this class. You don’t want to see an in-state kid end up at a different school in the Big Ten, especially with the versatility Herrmann brings to the table.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
If the Badgers project Herrmann to play on the edge, Aaron Witt is the best match. But the former three-star prospect from Minnesota was much more filled out in comparison to Herrmann at this stage in his career.
If you think Herrmann can play tight end, I’d go with JT Seagreaves, another long, lanky athlete with a frame to add plenty of good weight. Herrmann played wide receiver earlier in his career at Hamilton, so he’s not totally unfamiliar with catching the ball.
Let me know what you think.
STRENGTHS
Evan Herrmann looked like a legit 6-foot-6 athlete on Friday night in a matchup with Brookfield Central. Playing on the edge - both with his hand down and standing up at times - the senior from Sussex Hamilton is an intriguing prospect for Wisconsin, among other schools, on the recruiting front this fall.
Not only does Herrmann have legit height, he also has a huge wingspan. This works to his advantage in defending the pass and affecting throwing lanes at the line of scrimmage. He needs to get a stronger - a lot stronger - but I thought Herrmann more than held his home at the point of attack and set the edge well against the Lancers’ run-heavy offense.
Herrmann moves really well for his size. Earlier this year, he placed seventh at state in the 110-meter hurdles, and that track speed showed on the field. Whether it was with a burst at the snap of the ball or being the first one down the field on kick coverage, Herrmann is a long strider who can eat up space quickly. I also thought he was disruptive when the action was directed to his side while also tracking down plays from the backside well all evening.
Overall, Herrmann is raw but there’s a lot to like here. He’s a high-ceiling athlete schools are looking for at this point on the recruiting calendar. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks for him.
REMAINING QUESTIONS
How much weight will Herrmann gain? There’s no doubt he has to bulk up, but is he a tight end or outside linebacker who plays at 240-ish pounds? Or does he explode in a college strength and nutrition program and add 70 pounds? I don’t think that’s completely out of the question. To steal a line from Matt Perkins, Herrmann is all arms and legs right and he has plenty of room to fill out.
Can he play tight end in college? This was my lasting impressions, as Herrmann didn’t take any offensive snaps on Friday evening. But through a Wisconsin lens, I think he could fit nicely into the 2023 class at that spot. Herrmann could be a big pass-catching option for the Badgers because of his speed and athleticism.
Can Herrmann cover? I don’t think Herrmann dropped back into coverage at all on Friday, but he may not have to do much of that on the boundary in college. That’s a question schools likely have if he’s going to play outside linebacker at the next level.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Herrmann was not a kid who was on my radar even just a few weeks ago. But after his tape began to circulate this month, he landed an offer from Vanderbilt. Strong interest is also coming from Wisconsin, Iowa, Iowa State and Michigan State, among others. Herrmann’s visit schedule is as follows:
9/10 Iowa
9/17 Iowa State
10/1 Wisconsin
10/8 Vanderbilt
10/15 Michigan State
It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback Herrmann gets during his visit on Oct. 1. He assumes the Badgers like him on the edge, but the bigger need in this class is at tight end. The Spartans have had early discussions with Herrmann about playing on the offensive side of the ball, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Herrmann labeled a “jumbo athlete” (much like Ben Barten a few cycles ago) who can play a few different spots.
If Herrmann’s an outside linebacker who could potentially grow into a defensive end, Bobby April will have to decide how he stacks up with Jordan Mayer, who seems to have a similar build and skill-set. Can you take two (likely) boundary edge prospects in this class, or do you need a quicker pass-rusher who can also drop back into coverage (i.e. Tackett Curtis)?
If you think Herrmann can play tight end, this seems like a no-brainer. Who else is on Wisconsin’s board at the position outside of Ryder Kurtz? I’m really not sure.
Because the upside is so high here, I’d find a spot for Herrmann in this class. You don’t want to see an in-state kid end up at a different school in the Big Ten, especially with the versatility Herrmann brings to the table.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
If the Badgers project Herrmann to play on the edge, Aaron Witt is the best match. But the former three-star prospect from Minnesota was much more filled out in comparison to Herrmann at this stage in his career.
If you think Herrmann can play tight end, I’d go with JT Seagreaves, another long, lanky athlete with a frame to add plenty of good weight. Herrmann played wide receiver earlier in his career at Hamilton, so he’s not totally unfamiliar with catching the ball.
Let me know what you think.
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