Oklahoma State University Athletics
Freshman Fiesta: Running Back Herschel Sims
December 29, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 29, 2011
Herschel Sims was one of the nation's top running back recruits a year ago, and Oklahoma State won the recruiting battle to land the Abilene, Texas native in Stillwater. Despite seeing limited action in four games as a freshman, the 5-foot-9, 208 pounder has recorded a pair of 100-yard rushing efforts (vs. Baylor and Texas Tech) and has scored two touchdowns. He racked up 242 yards on just 31 carries, an average of nearly 7.8 yards per tote.
In an OKState.com exclusive interview, Sims talked about his first season in a Cowboy uniform and also looked towards his future with coach Mike Gundy's squad. For the complete interview, check out the video below.
You were a highly-recruited player coming out of high school. What was it about Oklahoma State that appealed to you and made you want to be a Cowboy.
HS: First off, I wanted to stay in the Big 12. I believe that the Big 12 is the best conference, and all the top schools that I liked were in the Big 12. Oklahoma State led the Big 12 in rushing in four of the past six years, and I wanted to go to a place that could bring backs into the (NFL). That's what I was looking for in college.
How have you matured football-wise from when you walked on campus to now?
HS: I've matured a lot. Coming in, the biggest thing I had to adjust to was the game speed. Coming from high school I was a big recruit, but when you get to college everyone else is also a big recruit. You've got five or six guys just as good as you are, and you've got to separate yourself from everyone else with your work ethic. I just had to step my game up and work harder.
You've had some success this season, a couple of 100-yard games – how much confidence have you built?
HS: I've built a lot of confidence in myself. At the beginning of the season, I started out slow with an ankle injury, and I wasn't practicing like I should be. But Coach Gundy stayed with me, and the running backs coach, Coach (Jemal) Singleton, just kept talking to me and gave me confidence. He told me if I believed in myself that I could do it, then I'm able to do anything. I just keep that in my heart and keep working harder and harder.
What's it been like being a freshman on the best team in school history, a Big 12 champion? Did you expect that coming in?
HS: I knew we had a chance. I'm just truly blessed; I'm honored to be on this team. We have a great group of guys here, playing with Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden, I'm playing with a couple of first rounders. Having this opportunity is just a once-in-a-lifetime deal – you never know when you'll get the chance again.
Who are some of the older guys who have helped mentor you this year?
HS: Jeremy Smith, he's another running back we have. When I'm feeling down and get a little homesick, I can go to him and talk to him at any point in time and just say what's on my mind. He always has something positive to say. And Shaun Lewis on the defensive side of the ball, he's been in the same position I was in. He just told me if I believe it, I've got to go get it; it's not going to be given to me. I've just got to work hard for it.
You're roommates with J.W. (Walsh) and Josh (Stewart). Do you guys sit around and say 'Hey, one day, we're going to be the guys on this offense' and dream and talk about what that will be like?
HS: We think about it every day. We're young pups, but we look up to the older guys and see how they handle things and then take the perspective that that's going to be us in the future. We've just got to work hard and continue to do the little things right.
Talk about what your first bowl experience has been like.
HS: It's been a blast. I'm here in Arizona, never been, and having a good time and enjoying it. We also came out here to work and win this ballgame. You can't get distracted from all the outside things. You've got to focus on what we have. We have something great right in front of us, we just have to go get it.
