Brendan Hermensky talked to Joshua Okeke, our high school reporter, about why he decided to go to Ashland University for college. He announced on February 7th that he’ll be there for the next four years, aiming to do well in both football and his studies.
In the 2023–2024 season, Brendan Hermensky was the MLB for the Nordonia Knights. He achieved 82 solo tackles and a total of 125 tackles. He averaged 11.4 tackles per game, made 2.5 sacks, and caught one interception. Here’s what he said in the interview:
We’d love to hear about the reasons behind your decision to commit to Ashland University. What made Ashland stand out to you as the next step in your football career and academic journey? “Ashland was the perfect fit for me for many reasons. First, they have one of the best business programs in the state, and the student-faculty ratio at Ashland University is 15:1. I also felt they were really transparent in the recruiting process for football.”
“From the beginning, Coach Tom Stacy told me what they were looking for and what they expected from me to help continue their winning tradition in the GMAC. They have state-of-the art facilities, including a huge indoor training facility and a great weight room, which was exactly what I was looking for.”
“Their stadium is also really nice and one of the best in all of Division 2. The experience of the coaching staff is also why I chose Ashland. Their coaches are all consistent with longevity in the Ashland program. The linebacker coach at Ashland has been coaching for over 60 years, and I knew I couldn’t get that experience anywhere else in the country. Everyone seems to have the same goals and expectations for the team, and I really loved that most.”
As you look forward to your college football career and beyond, what goals have you set for yourself? We’re interested in knowing what drives you and where you see yourself in the coming years.
“Some future goals I have set for myself is to be the best teammate I can be at Ashland and make sure to have a positive impact on whoever I may come across in the community. I want to learn more and excel at my position in order to win games and GMAC championships. I want to remain disciplined and also hope to continue the Ashland tradition of academic excellence among athletes by maintaining a high GPA as I balance my studies with my football career.”
“That’s a memory I will never forget” – Brendan Hermensky speaks on his favorite moment at Nordonia High School
Brendan Hermensky shared that he had some special times at Nordonia High School that he really values. It was hard for him to choose just one favorite moment, but he eventually did.
Looking back at your time playing for the Nordonia Knights, could you share your most favorite moment or game? We’re excited to hear about the experiences that have been most meaningful to you.
“I have many wonderful memories of playing football at Nordonia; it’s hard to think of just one. So many amazing people have come into my life because of this sport, and I have made countless memories to last a lifetime with my best friends. If I were to pick just one, it would have to be the Benedictine game week 10 of my junior year. I would say that is my most memorable game because I had two pick-sixes and made a bunch of plays throughout the night.”
“Most importantly, though, my team got a 33-19 victory. I know I couldn’t have made those plays without the help of my teammates and coaches, who prepared me throughout the week. I also couldn’t have made those plays without the pressure our D-Line put on their talented quarterback. That’s a memory I will never forget!”
