Oregon Ducks tight end Patrick Herbert is the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert, the franchise staple who was freshly minted with a monster contract extension over the summer.
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While the 6'5" junior has yet to make the type of waves Justin did during his storied days in Eugene that led to him becoming the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Patrick Herbert has already proven to be a valuable asset for the Ducks in their 2023 campaign.
Now, if we were strictly talking receiving stats, having just one game in September where he hauled in more than one catch is in no way drawing the attention of NFL scouts. Specifically speaking, Herbert had tallied just six catches for 66 yards and no touchdowns in four games played.
It wasn't until Oregon's big stakes rivalry game against Washington where Herbert finally found the end zone on an impressive 11-yard touchdown catch. And what a time for the tight end to get on the board because the number of scouts in attendance to watch Huskies standout quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had to be off the charts.
Bo Nix ➡️ Patrick Herbert
Oregon takes a 15-14 lead over Washington 🏈pic.twitter.com/VANeTKWGpo
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 14, 2023
But what's really become somewhat a constant for Herbert throughout the season has been head coach Dan Lanning's usage of the 255-pounder on two-point conversions.
It all started in Week 2 against Texas Tech when the Ducks ran a trick play for two that had FOX cameras in complete shambles to the point they could barely follow what went down. But a hurried Herbert managed to connect with fellow tight end Terrance Ferguson in the back of the end zone.
Herbert makes the throw to Terrance Ferguson and completes to the 2-point conversion for @oregonfootball! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8MSQpVgr4h
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 9, 2023
Just like that, if Herbert wasn't going to be racking up the catches on a regular basis, Lanning discovered some quality usage for his tight end when the situation calls for it.
During the aforementioned rivalry game against Washington, Herbert was at again in the specialist role with more trickery, this time taking a direct snap and waltzing into the end zone untouched.
Patrick Herbert scores the two-point conversion to give Oregon the lead 🦆
Justin’s younger brother 👀pic.twitter.com/FwSxnp4vGr
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 14, 2023
Despite what appears to have become his niche — for the moment, at least — it be would pretty foolish to pigeon hole the monster tight end as simply a two-point conversion Swiss army knife. Patrick Herbert was ranked as the nation's No. 6 tight end coming out of high school in 2018, and that's a rather large nugget that should not be dismissed.
While listed as a junior, the 2022 season was truly where his college career began due to a string of injuries. So, really, he's just getting warmed up with serious potential and the ideal size and frame for the tight end position.
Additionally, outside of the lines, Patrick Herbert appears to be atop the leaderboard for best profile photo in all of college football.
via GoDucks.com
There's honestly no better way for a tight end to convey they're not screwing around and ready to reek roaring havoc than by growing a mustache paired with an all-time deadpan expression.
