Danny Hope snagged his 8th commitment for the 2012 season as Jimmy Herman, an outside linebacker prospect, committed this morning. Herman, who plays safety at Carmel, picked Purdue over Northwestern and Harvard. Herman secured an offer from the Boilers just a few weeks ago, and didn't waste time committing. Herman is the son of two Purdue graduates, which also played a factor in his recruitment.
At just 195 pounds, Herman looks to be a redshirt candidate his first year. In order to play OLB, he's going to have to put on some weight, and their will be serious competition for playing time in front of him. However, Herman is extremely intelligent, which should help slow down his learning curve. From the highlight tapes I glanced it, Herman has good instincts in pursuing the ball and isn't afraid to hit.
It might be awhile before Herman makes an impact on the game field, but having an intelligent backup can help speed matters along in practice. Academics are very important to him as well, which makes him a perfect member of the Boilermaker fraternity. I'm intrigued to see how well he will make the switch from high school safety to college linebacker, but his body build looks like it can undergo the transformation. Another year in high school along with a probable redshirt should do wonders in preparing Herman for the big stage, and I look foward to watching him play as a future Boilermaker.
#29 Jimmy Herman Carmel High School Class 2012 Strong Safety Football Highlight Video.wmv (via MrDMGProductions)