Hillsdale College RB Michael Herzog selected in CFL Draft, now has two paths to pro ball
HILLSDALE — A local college football star has a rare opportunity, with two potential paths to playing professional football.
Former Hillsdale College running back Michael Herzog was selected in the sixth round, pick 56, of the CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes this week. Herzog was the third running back taken in the eight-round draft and the second player from a NCAA DII school to be selected.
Herzog made an impression at the CFL combine earlier this year, running a 4.55-second 40 (top four at the combine) and leading the combine with a 39-inch vertical. He got a chance to showcase his skills at a local pro day in April and was a member of this year's College Gridiron Showcase.
The Windsor, Ontario, native looks to followed in the footsteps of his older brother Zach Herzog as a CFL draft selection. Zach Herzog was the first Hillsdale player to be drafted by a professional league since offensive lineman Jared Valdheer was selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Raiders.
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If Herzog can make Montreal's roster and appear in a CFL game this summer, he'll be the seventh Charger to play in the league, the first since 1984. The most recent was wide receiver standout and NFL Draft pick Nate Johnson, who played for three CFL teams from 1982-84.
Montreal is the defending Grey Cup champion after a 28-24 victory over Winnipeg. It's the team's eighth CFL title, their first since 2010.
Montreal isn't the only championship-caliber football team Herzog will have a chance to play for in the near future. The former Charger was invited to attend the Detroit Lions rookie minicamp along with several other from Division II standouts in Michigan, including quarterback Cade Peterson of Grand Valley State.
Herzog is the first Charger NFL camp invite since Trey Brock in 2019. It's clear why the tailback has earned his shot in both leagues with two winning organizations. Herzog put up historic numbers while playing his final season with Hillsdale College. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound running back was the top rusher in the G-MAC this past season and made a significant impact as a special teams ace.
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Michael Herzog's Prolific Collegiate Career
Herzog dominated the G-MAC throughout his career with the Chargers, which got a jump start in 2022 after a devastating leg injury sidelined him for two years.
He finished second in the G-MAC in rushing yards (940) and added eight rushing touchdowns.
He had a breakout campaign in 2023 as a senior, breaking or tying ive G-MAC records while being one of the top-ranked running backs in NCAA Division II. He led the G-MAC in carries (230), rushing yards (1,333), rushing touchdowns (21), yards per game average (121.2), scoring (11.5 points per game), all-purpose yards (172.2 per game), single-game rushing attempts (28 against Michigan Tech) and single-game rushing touchdowns (five against Ohio Dominican).
He broke G-MAC records for single season rushing touchdowns and broke the record for points in a season with 126. His 2023 campaign ranks in the top four in G-MAC history in rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts, rushing yards per game and all-purpose yards.
Herzog ended his college career with his best game, helping Hillsdale beat Ohio Dominican 35-17, a win that capped of a five-game winning streak to give the Chargers a 6-5 record.
Going against the second-best run defense in the conference, Herzog rushed for a career-high 175 yards and all five of Hillsdale's touchdowns in the game.
Herzog also was one of the top return specialists in the G-MAC as well, with 511 kickoff return yards and an average of 18.9 yards per return.
He ranks eighth all-time at Hillsdale in career rushing yardage, with 2,273 in just two seasons. His 2023 season ranks top 10 all-time at Hillsdale in rushing yards, touchdowns and attempts.
He received four All-American honors for 2023, including first-team honors from the Don Hansen Football Committee and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association. He was named to the second team by both D2Football.com and the Associated Press. He was the first Charger since 2012 to earn more than two All-American honors in the same season.
He was named co-MVP of the G-MAC and the school's first Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, both since 2018.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale RB Michael Herzog: Invited to Detroit Lions camp; drafted by CFL Montreal
