Off the field, he is one of the quietest, most down to earth individuals you will ever meet. Given some of his early accomplishments on it, we will simply call him a “foot soldier.”

Despite some of the squad’s recent shortcomings, 2017 will still be remembered for a few positive storylines. One of them is the play of rookie linebacker Jordan Herdman.

The seventh round pick out of Simon Fraser has 16 special teams tackles, tied for the team lead with Micah Awe and good enough to crack the top ten league wide.

“I’m learning, picking up things pretty quick and felt I have transitioned well from college,” said Herdman.

After twice winning the Great Northern Athletic Conference (GNAC) Defensive Player of the Year and setting the all-time conference mark for career tackles, big things were expected out of the Winnipeg native. Some observers suggest the only reason he slipped to round seven may have been the result of a disappointing pro day at his home campus.

Despite that minor setback, Herdman was the first SFU alum to take part in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He was attending a Kansas City Chiefs mini-camp when Lions assistant running backs coach Mike Lionello, who also coached Herdman at SFU, called to inform him they were going to take him with their next pick.

“I was pretty excited to get the call and find out I was coming to the BC Lions,” recalled Herdman.

“I feel that it doesn’t always matter when you get picked, but where you end up going. This is the best place for me. I love being here and coming to work every day. I still live in Burnaby and can continue to do some of the activities I enjoy like outdoor basketball, the beach and going for hikes.”

Jason Arakgi will always be known as the true “special teams wizard.” His unexpected retirement prior to the regular season meant his valuable production on the unit, as well as his leadership, would have to be replaced. Herdman, fellow rookie Frederic Chagnon and four-year veteran Adrian Clarke are examples of the Canadian content that can fill those important roles. Even if was only three weeks of training camp and two pre-season games, Herdman will always value his time with Arakgi.

“He definitely set high expectations and high standards, ” said Herdman of the CFL’s all-time leader in special teams tackles.

“For young guys to come in and have that kind of role model on special teams is, it really allows us to shoot high, do great things and push each other even more. Breaking records and winning Grey Cups are something we all strive to do.”

Herdman’s playing style and willingness to learn was noticed quickly by special teams coordinator Marcello Simmons.

“He is very Jekyll and Hyde,” said Simmons of Herdman the player and human being.

“What I love best about him is the fact he plays to the whistle and will do what it takes to knock you on your ass. Jordan is a real student of the game. He is always looking to get better and find the best ways to do just that. He is only going to get better and I think he will be a major factor going into next year’s training camp.

Another thing that keeps him motivated is the regular phone conversations with twin brother and former SFU teammate Justin Herdman, who has been on the Toronto Argonauts active roster for most of his rookie season. The Argos selected Justin six spots earlier in the same draft.

“We try to get in contact almost every day. We’re just rooting for each other to make the playoffs and we’re very happy for one another,” said Jordan.

“He is doing a really good job on special teams and it seems like they like him over there. I am very happy for him to have gone from the practice roster to playing games and wish him continued success.”

Those well wishes may be put on hold when Justin and the Argonauts visit BC Place to close out the regular season on November 4th. It will be the first time the brothers square off against each other in professional action and the game could also be very meaningful for both teams.

“I already told him we’re going to beat them when they come into the Lions Den,” said Jordan with a laugh.”

Jokes aside, the next order of business is taking down the tough Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday in the first of two visits to the Manitoba Capital in the next three weeks. A visit from the Edmonton Eskimos comes in between and Herdman’s squad potentially needs this next game to keep its playoff hopes alive.

He looks forward to the test and getting the chance to play in front of his dad James Reed, a former linebacker with the Bombers from 1979-81. Reed remained in Winnipeg after his retirement and that is where the twins were born and went to high school.

“Having that role model and a leader that we could look up to was great,” explained Herdman.

“He played in the CFL, NFL and USFL and now works for Maple Leaf Construction. We go back and see him at Christmas, he will be at those two Winnipeg games and I am also flying him out here to see me and Justin at the end of the year.”

A soft-spoken family man who hasn’t forgotten about his roots: the returns are still very early, but it looks like the Lions could have themselves a late round steal.

“He is very solid, very tenacious and downright nasty to play against, ” added Simmons.

“Those are all of the attributes you want.”

Tuesday Lions Report: Rain And Positive Energy

The mood at Tuesday’s practice was a far cry from both the wet weather and recent results for a Lions squad that pretty much has to win out in order to have a chance at the postseason. In fact, a loss in Winnipeg combined with wins by Edmonton over Toronto and Saskatchewan over Ottawa would eliminate the Leos from playoff contention for the first time since 1996.

“I told the team again, we have to finish strong and whatever happens, happens,” said GM/head coach Wally Buono.

It certainly won’t be a walk in the park against a Bombers squad looking to clinch a playoff berth and their first postseason home game since 2011. They should also be jacked up to face the team that not only beat them in last November’s Western Semi-Final, but also engineered a stunning 4th quarter comeback en route to a 45-42 victory at BC Place on July 21st. History aside, Buono praised the Bombers as a well balanced group.

“They have a lot of weapons and you have to give Matt Nichols a lot of credit, he’s doing a good job of getting the ball to their playmakers and their defence has a knack of getting turnovers. We know that about them, but the last couple of times we played them, we beat them. We’re due to play a complete game,” added Buono.

Speaking of the Bombers quarterback: Nichols took part in full practice Tuesday after leaving Friday’s loss to Hamilton with a hand injury. Head Coach Mike O’Shea told Winnipeg media he didn’t think Nichols suffered any setbacks.

Benson ready to see some old friends: It wouldn’t be a Lions visit to the Manitoba capital without Mike Benson having to make phone calls and hit up a few teammates for their game tickets. The long snapper and Winnipeg native always enjoys the hostility that comes with playing at Investors Group Field.

“On a scale of one to ten, it’s probably an eight,” said Benson of his excitement level.

“It’s good to see the family and all that, but Winnipeg is a pretty hostile environment so it should be a challenging game.”

We asked the smooth-talking veteran how IGF compares to some of the other good-natured fan behaviour around the league.

“It’s not like Hamilton where they get down to the core of you. Winnipeggers do their research. They have a couple of news outlets that they can go to. I think they have Carrier Pigeons that bring them the news. I don’t know if they get Internet out there anymore,” added Benson with his tongue in cheek.

“My whole family is there wearing Benson jerseys so they get at them a little bit, but it’s good natured; which is nice.”

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com