Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 12y

Exit Interview: LB Brandon Herron

"Exit Interview" is a feature at WolverineNation where we chat with departing seniors from the Michigan football and men's basketball programs about their time in Ann Arbor in a Q&A format.

Previous Exit Interviews: FB John McColgan; CB Tony Anderson; DL Will Heininger

Brandon Herron came to Michigan from Texas expected to do big things for the Wolverines under Lloyd Carr. He redshirted, played for three years under Rich Rodriguez, a season under Brady Hoke, and between injuries and depth never found a real niche with the Wolverines.

Herron made one start in his career and in that start set a Michigan record with two defensive touchdowns. In his career, he played 37 games, making 42 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries. Here's Herron:

WolverineNation: What do you feel was your best moment at Michigan?

Brandon Herron: “Breaking two records at Michigan was probably the highlight of my career and the best moment. Then, when coach (Brady) Hoke comes in is probably one of the best moments, bringing the program back on track where it needs to be.”

WN: You mention the two records. That happened in the first week of this season and was a pretty big week for you. What was that like looking back, especially considering how the rest of your season went?

BH: “It was crazy. Just looking back, during that time I was thinking ‘Man, this isn’t supposed to happen to me. This is supposed to happen to some guy who has been on the field a long time.’ Awareness like that, to pick up a ball and take it to the end zone. It was exciting, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe it.”

WN: After all that, did you get a ton more attention than you ever did?

BH: “Yeah, with the Facebook I got a lot of friend requests and then the trending topic on Twitter, stuff like that. I got a lot of publicity behind that, people back at home and everything else. People were aware.”

WN: Flipping it, what was your toughest moment at Michigan?

BH: “I’ve had a lot of tough moments. This year, getting hurt and I got hurt last year. I became the starter week two of last year and then getting hurt during the game and not playing (linebacker) again. This year getting hurt after the first game and not really seeing the field after that, that was one of my toughest moments. You work so hard to get to that position and you can’t help that you’ve gotten hurt and somebody else steps up and takes your position. Obviously you want to do well at Michigan because it is Michigan so that’s probably one of the toughest, being hurt and not staying healthy.”

WN: When you got hurt this year, did you think that was it? That you wouldn’t get back on the field?

BH: “Once I got hurt I didn’t think it would take that long but it actually took a month-and-a-half. I actually would have gotten my chance back to become the starter again but I was out for so long they kind of passed me up and being a fifth-year senior, it was like ‘Well, he’s a fifth-year guy and we’re trying to develop the younger guys because they are the ones who have time.’ I kind of had a chance, but I wasn’t ready and with time just passing by, they kind of just gave up on me.”

WN: At what point do you think that happened?

BH: “It was probably the third week after I got hurt, I was back on the field but I wasn’t full-go. I couldn’t open up my stride or push off the way I wanted to so obviously the coaches could tell I wasn’t ready. My position coach said the position was still wide open and I’d have a chance to prove myself, but my body wasn’t ready to go.”

WN: So what’s next for you?

BH: “I’m waiting on a couple agents to see. It’s kind of a rough spot for me because a lot of guys have it already planned out. They know where they are training, what agent they are going with. I’m kind of in the waiting game. I know, from talking to a couple people, I don’t necessarily have to have an agent. It’s just trying to get me ready for pro day and getting me tested for the NFL. I’m just trying to find out where can I train and who is willing to train me. All this is almost politics because the agent is going to want money so I have to find someone who is willing to invest in me and pay that money for me to train.”

WN: If for some reason it doesn’t work out, do you know what you’re going to do after that?

BH: “It’s always good to have a backup plan. I just graduated from Michigan and having my degree I still want to go back to school and try to work this nursing thing out. Recently, two years ago, I thought I wanted to be a cop. I like helping people and I like dealing with guns and so I’m trying to explore my options and everything else. So if football doesn’t work out, I have a backup plan.”

WN: When you look at your Michigan career, now that it’s done, are you happy with how it went?

BH: “To be honest, I’m not happy. Every guy who comes into Michigan wants to be the man, just like I was the man in high school you want to be that at Michigan, and not really being that at Michigan, I’m disappointed. But then I thank God for giving me this opportunity to receive my degree and play at Michigan and even break two records. So I’m kind of happy, but at the same time, I am disappointed.”

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