Quarterback Michael Herrick stands as the dominant figure of the Lumberjack football team. The junior fire science major is busy preparing for the upcoming season and is ready to lead the team toward a season packed with victories. - Jacob Petersen/ The Lumberjack

After a year of uncertainty with situational playing time, junior quarterback Michael Herrick is feeling more comfortable with the offense. Herrick is a transfer from Ole Miss University in Mississippi who had to compete for playing time between seniors Lance Kriesien and Corey Slater.

Herrick was a PrepStar All-America selection while playing at Valencia High School and was named Junior All-American by Studentsports.com. He is the all-time leading passer in California history with more than 11,000 yards. Herrick threw 73 career TD passes, and he was a finalist for 2005 California Mr. Football. While in high school, Herrick was rated the No. 48 quarterback in the nation by Scout.com and the No. 56 quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com. 

Last season, Herrick saw some action in 10 games, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,043 yards and three touchdowns.

“Last year was a good learning experience for me,” Herrick said. “This year, we just got to do what we’re coached to do: execute and put points on the scoreboard.”

The Lumberjacks return 14 starters, including seven on offense, which will help Herrick pick up the system. The Lumberjacks also return 44 lettermen, 19 on offense. 

Many of the coaches agree Herrick has shown a new confidence in spring practices. Second-year passing game coordinator and quarterback coach Brian Lindgren spoke highly of Herrick and how far he has come since the end of the last season. 

“I expect big things from him,” Lindgren said. “I think he is a lot more comfortable this year. I expect him to put up some pretty good numbers and win some football games for us this year.”

Herrick has put in a lot of work this offseason becoming mentally and physically prepared for the next season. He has had to get a good grasp of the offense, get to know his teammates better and get bigger in the gym.

Herrick believes all those things will help him with the learning curve. 

“I’ve been working on getting a better understanding of the offense,” Herrick said.

Lindgren agrees Herrick has been putting in a lot of work to prepare himself.

 “The No. 1 thing he has improved is his overall knowledge of the offense,” Lindgren said. “It has allowed him to play faster and not think so much.”

Last season, because of a constant quarterback shuffle, NAU was a more run-oriented team. The Lumberjacks put up just 13 passing touchdowns compared to their 22 rushing touchdowns last season. Herrick looks to improve a passing game that averaged 239.1 yards per game.

“He has done a nice job in the weight room getting a lot stronger,” said head coach Jerome Souers. “He has a better understanding of what we’re trying to do offensively. Like the rest of our team, Michael needs to work on his timing and consistently performing.”

The Lumberjacks will play some Pac-10 and SEC competition as they will travel to both Tucson and Oxford, Miss. to battle Ole Miss. NAU opens the season Sept. 12 against U of A, which is fresh off a Las Vegas Bowl win. After a few Big Sky games, the Lumberjacks will face Herrick’s former team, Ole Miss, on Nov. 7.

“It’s going to be some good fun,” Herrick said. “If you want to be a better team, you have to beat good competition.”