Positive: Tough and feisty quarterback who does a terrific job leading the offense. Patient in the pocket, displays terrific field sense, and buys time for receivers. Keeps his eyes down the field, possesses a quick release, and shows good speed on short and intermediate throws. Knows where his receivers are on the field, puts touch on throws when necessary, and displays a sense of timing. Remains poised and makes proper decisions. Looks away from covered receivers. Stands in the pocket and takes the big hit in order to get the ball away.
Negative: Must improve his fade and corner patterns. Does not consistently follow through over his top foot and fall out of throws. Lack of height seemingly makes it difficult for him to see over the line on occasion.
Analysis: Herrick lacks great physical skills for the NFL, but he has been very active on the college level and does not back down from a challenge. He's nothing more than a backup quarterback but could be an option for a team that runs Wildcat schemes in the red zone."
Michael redshirted at NAU as a freshman in 2006, and didn't see any game action in 2007. In 2008, he saw action in 10 games with two starts (Southern Utah, Eastern Washington)and completed 93-of-150 attempts for 1,043 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.
In 2009, he finished ninth in the Walter Payton Award voting, was named all-Big Sky second team, and ranked third in the Big Sky and 15th in the nation in passing efficiency at 149.5. He started all 11 games and went 270-for-407 (68.2%) for 3,356 yards and 22 TDs.
As a senior this past season, he completed 194-for-306 for 2,061 yards and 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Strengths: Decent ball velocity. Pretty accurate when healthy (he played with a serious thumb injury for part of this past season which affected his accuracy and delivery.) Shotguy guy with good footwork and ball skills. Can go under center, and did so about 1/3 of the time in college. Sprays it around pretty good. Ball comes out pretty quickly despite his wind-up delivery. Will check down effectively. Finds the open guy. Plays hurt. Leads.
Weaknesses: Not real big. Regressed some as a senior (partly due to the injury.) Maxed out. Elongated wind up. Leaves his receivers out to dry on occasion. Not the greatest pocket presence, and doesn't escape pressure as well as he should given his decent speed and footwork. Average vision, and will miss defenders and throw it up for grabs. Needs to be kept clean to be effective. Pushes the ball now, and may have developed some bad habits compensating for the injury.
Projection: Priority UDFA with some intangibles."