Dom Herrling couldn’t resist the epic challenge or the chance to follow his lifelong dream.
After leading Pelham High football to four straight state championships — along with two more basketball titles — the Eagle-Tribune All-Star could have picked a quality Division 2 or 3 program, with the chance to possibly see the field right away.
But the allure of Division 1 football in his home state was too strong. And one year into his journey, he couldn’t be happier he made the leap.
“Playing football at UNH is the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said. “I wanted to take on the challenge of being a Division 1 football player. It had been my dream since I was in first grade. I wanted to see if I was up to the challenge, and so far it’s been amazing.”
Herrling is a redshirt freshman wide receiver and special teamer for Division 1 University of New Hampshire football, which will kick off the regular season on Aug. 30, at North Carolina Central.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “We’re just wrapping up preseason camp and I’m just trying to show the coaches every day that I’m willing to do whatever they ask of me. This year, I might not see a lot of time of offense, but I’m ready to play on special teams. Any unit they want me on, I’m ready. I’m the kind of guy that will do whatever it takes to help the team.”
Herrling capped off four straight undefeated state title football seasons with a bang as a senior in 2023, rushing for 1,001 yards on 88 carries (area-high 11.3 yards per rush) and scoring an area-beat 22 touchdowns.
Once his college football search began, UNH was the target — even if he knew the jump from New Hampshire Division II high school football would be a challenging one.
“I was talking to UNH for a while, but they didn’t offer me until late,” said Herrling, who appeared in one game last fall, against Stonehill. “The chance to play Division 1 college football in the state I’ve lived in my whole life, I couldn’t turn it down. It’s an opportunity very few people ever have the chance to experience. And being a walk-on gives you a certain mindset that I value very much.
“It’s been a huge jump to say the least. Going from New Hampshire Division II to Division 1 college, there is of course the huge difference in size and speed. But it’s also football knowledge. In high school, running the wing-T, we pretty much just pounded the ball on every play. I have had to learn a lot.”
The biggest change for Herrling has been the move from running back in high school to receiver in college.
“I had never played a down at receiver, but I feel like I’ve made great strides,” he said. “It’s been a challenge learning the position. I’ve had to learn all the routes and releases. I didn’t know how to do any of that. The coaches have done a great job of helping me understand defenses and coverages.
“It was really spring ball this year that I started to feel comfortable. Last year I was just a quiet freshman, and it’s tough when you’re just playing scout team. But this year, actually getting playing time and more work in drills, I really felt like part of the team.”
Now he hopes to contribute to a big season for UNH.
“The team is looking good and establishing who the leaders are,” he said. “We’re figure out our identity. I think it’s going well. We’re a young team with a lot of new faces. A lot of people are doubting UNH, but I think there’s something there. I think we’re going to prove the doubters wrong.”
TWITTER: DWillisET