Cortez Herrin

Height:
6-3
Weight:
342
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Saluda, S.C.
High School:
Saluda
Major:
History Education

Projected to maintain stronghold as the Pirates’ starting left guard for the second consecutive season … Ready to take the next step in his career as a full-fledged honors candidate on the conference level if progress continues current upward trajectory … Despite designation as a regular on the left side, adaptability allows flexibility for movement to the right guard slot if warranted … Has played in 21 career contests and made 17 starts (15 at left guard, two at right guard) … The 2019 season will mark his third different position coach in four years (Geep Wade/2016-17, Don Mahoney/2018, Steve Shankweiler/2019) … Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2016, thus has already benefitted from four spring practice sessions with the Pirates … Work ethic in strength and conditioning program has allowed body to be redefined (playing weight in 2017 was listed at 346 pounds).

2018: Started all 12 games at the left guard position … Played integral role up front for an offensive unit that eclipsed 400 yards of total offense on eight occasions and 500-plus yards three times – 510 vs. North Carolina, 556 vs. Memphis and 657 vs. Connecticut … Performance vs. Huskies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium also included season-bests in points (55), rushing yards (415) and first downs (34) … Also helped ECU rack up 496 yards (406 passing) against American Athletic Conference champion UCF, 492 vs. Old Dominion and 450 at Tulane … Credited with paving the way for two individual 100-yard rushing performances and five 300-yard passing efforts … Part of unit that stood 20^th nationally in passing yards per game (284.8) … Selected as the “2018 Spring Offensive MVP” by the coaching staff following workouts.

2017: Played in eight games and made five starts … Opened three tilts at left guard (James Madison, Virginia Tech, Memphis) and two at right guard (USF, Temple) … Did not experience action in four-straight, mid-to-late-season contests against UCF, BYU, Houston and Tulane … Helped play key role for a unit which ranked 12^th nationally in passing offense (317.9 ypg) and 42^nd in total offense (425.6 ypg) ... Also part of five individual 300-yard passing games and one 100-yard rushing effort.

2016: Earned spot on game-day (and travel) roster during true freshman season, but only logged limited plays in opener vs. Western Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium … Did not experience action in remaining 11 contests after suffering injury against Catamounts … Member of former head coach Scottie Montgomery’s initial signing class.

High School: Earned three letters for coach Stewart Young at Saluda High School … Selected to the USA Today South Carolina All-State squad as a first-team offensive lineman … Invited to play in the 2015 South Carolina North-South All-Star Game and was elected team captain … Helped lead Tigers to a 10-3 overall record and a pair of playoff wins (30-27 over Keenan, 24-7 over Chesterfield) during senior campaign … Outing of note in 2015 was a 14-pancake block effort against McCormick HS that helped lead Saluda to a 54-12 victory … Played primarily the guard position on offense, while experiencing action as a defensive end on the other side of the ball … Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, which also ranked him as South Carolina’s No. 26 overall prospect (and among Top 90 offensive guards nationally) … Awarded three stars by 247Sports.com as well, in addition to a No. 17 state overall recruit ranking and a No. 41 standing among all offensive guards in the country … A two-star performer according to Scout.com … Officially committed to the Pirate program on May 20, 2015 … Also received interest from Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina … Earned additional varsity letter as basketball player.

Personal: Full name is Cortez Laquan Herrin … Brother, Cedric Herrin, participated in the South Carolina North-South All-Star game in 2013, also serving as a captain … A university studies major (history, history education) who earned ECU Honor Roll inclusion for classroom work during the 2017 spring semester.