When Synjen Herren first started middle school he was among those that enjoyed going to Northwest Whitfield High School’s football games on Friday nights. As far as playing football, he needed a shove.
Now the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Bruins senior guard is the one doing the shoving.
Herren did not play organized football until sixth grade. Former Northwest Whitfield offensive line coach Tom Hall is who encouraged him to give it a try.
Not only has Herren been hooked since, his effectiveness as a player has led to a college scholarship offer from Western Carolina. More are likely to come.
“I’ve gotten quicker since last year, even though I’ve gained weight,” Herren said. “Last year I was 270, 275. Now I’m up to 300, and I’m faster at that weight and I’m feeling stronger.”
Northwest Whitfield coach Mike Falleur said whether working in the weight room or doing agility or flexibility drills, Herren’s constant effort is what has allowed him to take advantage of his opportunities to upgrade his level of play.
“From ninth grade until now, he’s made unbelievable improvement,” Falleur said. “He’s a big old boy. That’s God-given. Anytime you’re a big boy you’ve got a chance to get noticed by colleges. He’s also a very hard worker.”
Herren began to flourish under Hall’s watch, but Hall is now starting his second season as an assistant coach at Flowery Branch High School in Flowery Branch, Ga. Herren is now under the tutelage of offensive line coach R. J. Pierce.
Pierce also played offensive line at Northwest Whitfield and is an advocate of Hall’s teachings. Falleur said Herren has gone from having a position coach like a father figure to now having one more like a brother, but the rapport remains good.
Herren said last year he was the only returning starting offensive lineman. He thinks the several sophomores that got to play a lot last season now know what to expect and should be more “football smart.”
Herren missed a few games with injuries his sophomore year, but he got more “football smart” by his junior season when led the Bruins in knockdown blocks with 33. If he’s bigger and faster now, that number may go way up this year.
“We’ve had some really good linemen around here the last seven, eight, nine years, that have gone on to play in college,” Falleur said. “Synjen is probably the meanest and has the nastiest attitude, really of any of them, that we’ve had play the game. That’s what separates him from the others. When he’s on the line, if he can put you down, he’ll keep you down.”