In a tight end room that includes a likely 2025 NFL draft pick (Terrance Ferguson) and a sophomore brimming with star potential (Kenyon Sadiq), there are still plenty of superlatives left for a respected veteran who prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
It’s just easier said than done for Patrick Herbert, whose surname makes it hard to exist in the shadows.
The sixth-year senior is a Eugene native and former all-state standout at Sheldon High School whose older brother Justin is a star quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and a former Duck legend who led Oregon to a Rose Bowl victory in 2019 to cap a record-setting collegiate career.
Patrick Herbert's Oregon career hasn't been as glamorous, but after injuries limited him to just one game between 2019 and 2021, he's developed into a player revered by teammates and effusively praised by coaches.
“Patrick Herbert is the epitome of toughness,” tight ends coach Drew Mehringer said. “This is a guy that doesn’t say a whole lot, that does the right thing, that misses very, very, very rare assignments, is prepared, plays through injury. He’s banged up? Doesn’t care. He breaks his finger in the middle of practice? Doesn’t care. Will not put on a red jersey. He is an awesome human being.”
With two seasons erased by knee injuries that required reconstructive surgery and a season of eligibility added due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Herbert is back for one more season playing for his hometown team just as the No. 3 Ducks enter the Big Ten Conference .
“It’s kind of surreal,” he said. “It went by extremely fast. Even though it’s my sixth year, it seems like it’s gone by really fast. … I think everything happens for a reason so I’m here for a reason and I’m excited to get after it.”
During the past two seasons, Herbert, who is a hulking 6-5 and 255 pounds, has combined to catch 21 passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns.
Where Herbert thrives, however, is as a blocker, whether that’s at the line of scrimmage to spring a ball carrier or down field to assist a receiver on the run — just as he did last season against Washington State when he flattened a potential tackler as running back Bucky Irving blew by for a touchdown off of a screen pass.
But it’s been a process, said Herbert, who was the No. 1 player in the state in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 6-ranked tight end in the nation, according to 247Sports.
“I came in I was like 219-220 pounds and I thought I was going to be a pass catcher, but I came here and picked up blocking and I found success in it,” said Herbert, who added that he, “probably gets more (enjoyment) out of a good block than a big catch. That’s where I find value and I think it’s more fun. … It kind of goes under the radar and I like that.”
Those plays might not make the highlight reel, but his contributions don’t go unnoticed by the people he shares a locker room with.
“He does a lot of things really well that people probably don’t give him enough credit for,” Ferguson said. “One, he puts the team first. I’ve never met somebody who puts the team first like he does. Just some of the stuff on the field that people don’t even see. He’s an elite athlete still. He goes out and he blocks his butt off no matter what. He’s someone I look up to.”
He’s not the only one.
Sadiq, who has a natural athleticism teammates have raved about since he arrived on campus in 2023, praised Herbert’s willingness to help teach him the nuances of the position and the playbook.
“Pat’s been around a lot of ball and he knows a lot about football,” Sadiq said. “He’s by far the smartest guy in our room. Him being able to coach me up and improve my game physically and also mentally, has been huge.
“Nothing he has here has been given to him. He’s had as much adversity as anyone here. Him being able to overcome those things and still be productive on the field means a lot.”
Herbert has also been a key member of Oregon’s special teams’ unit on point-after attempts. He successfully converted a two-point play via a run, a reception and a pass in 2023.
“I mean, Patrick is Steady Eddie,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “Every day he comes out here to work, humble attitude, has a goal for himself to improve but is a team player first.”
For a program with national championship ambitions like the Ducks, players with Herbert’s blue-collar traits can be the difference in any given game.
“We’re extremely talented,” Herbert said. “The way college football’s changed, you’ve got guys coming in, guys leaving, it’s a lot different than say, the 2019 team. But we’re extremely talented, so if we can put it all together we should have a great year.”
Follow Chris Hansen on X @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com . For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon football’s Patrick Herbert, brother of famed Justin Herbert, 'epitome of toughness'
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