The Hershel Dennis Story | By Jacob Shaffer
Who's the greatest college football player you've never heard of? There's a good chance it's Hershel Dennis, or "Patch", as his friends call him.
Hershel was a 4-Star Running Back out of prestigious Long Beach Poly HS in Los Angeles. He played at USC for 6 years, and during that time he: won 4 BCS Bowl Games, 2 National Championships, and was backed up by Reggie Bush.
Hershel faced a heap of adversity in his career, tearing his ACL twice. When his football career didn't pan out, Hershel wasn't sure what to do with his life. After struggling to cope with the loss of his dreams, Patch found a new purpose in mentoring young athletes, being a family man, and showing others how faith in God can transform their lives for the better.
This video is part of a 10-episode miniseries called "Gridiron Testimonies", where I highlight the unique and inspiring life stories of players and coaches involved with Gridiron Sports Performance. Gridiron SP, founded by former NFL player DeQuin Evans, uses sports as a vehicle to deliver mentorship, encouragement, and life skills to youth athletes in Tacoma, WA.
These unscripted interviews were filmed with a minimal lighting setup in a Las Vegas hotel room, during downtime from a football tournament.
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I had forgotten about this brother, he was very highly recruited coming out of high school. He got off to a good start but all the injuries stopped him from reaching his full potential. Not to mention having to compete with Bush and White afterwards. I'm glad to see he's doing well, I wish him and his family the best.
Great video and story
Legend
Love this story bro
Dude was a an absolute monster at Poly.
@mylesmatthews7136
Жыл бұрын
💯💯💯💯
@kevinhawkins20
Жыл бұрын
I took this comment the wrong way
@raymondbrown8360
Жыл бұрын
💯…. I think he would’ve flourished at SC…. Injuries, plus He just ran up on the Reggie Bush, and Lindell White era.
@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536
Жыл бұрын
@@kevinhawkins20 I first saw him against DLS in the game of the century. The Spartans used to eat opposing RBs alive but they had no answer for Dennis. He had darn near 200 yards that game.
@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536
Жыл бұрын
@@raymondbrown8360 Yep, but I think he definitely would have got a nice share of the carries.
I love you my brother and I love Mama Rose too. She was that lady. Loved hard.
This was very insightful. It's great to finally get the back story on his time at SC. I didn't realize he had so many injuries that were hindering his success. From the outside looking in it seemed as though he was not being treated fairly by the coaching staff. I've got so much love for SC but the optics of SC not treating Herschel Dennis, a homegrown product fairly didn't sit well with the fans in the inner city. We've heard rumors that Pete could be a little Cutthroat like Belichick but I'm happy that wasn't the case. I know he had overcome some off the field issues but the dude was a straight baller! I'm happy his life is moving in the right direction and I'm very proud of him for giving back to the community. Fight on!
I went to middle school with HD and kept in touch through a mutual friend (Anthony). Hated to see him go through so much adversity in college. The West Side (LBC) rooted for him then and we still root for him now 🙏🏽
@californiachief27x
Жыл бұрын
You went to Carnegie??
I love this dude! Always thought he would have been a superstar USC had he not gotten hurt! I truly understand the difficulties of the ups and downs from adversity as a college player from a personal standpoint. It’s good to see Hershel find his path! He’s Fighting On! ✌🏽
This and you are so amazingly dope. A true strong fighter ALWAYS!💪🏾💪🏾👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you Hershel, you won’t be forgotten. Fight on forever.
Haven't heard about him for years. Good to hear he is doing well. Those Poly teams were loaded.
Great journey! Herschel, you're a wonderful coach, thank you so much for always supporting and teaching my guy Sirjewel G. We appreciate you. Much love always! Keep up the good work out here in the community 💪 👏 Gridiron 🏈
I went to school with Herschel. Class of 2002. LBP, Funkhouse. One of the best backs to EVER Come out of Cali. ✌🏾 #ZoolooTrojan ⚔️
@raymondbrown8360
Жыл бұрын
He was like that
@wejuggernautentertainmentl3156
Жыл бұрын
@@raymondbrown8360 facts
He is going to go so far and hope our boys at Life christian Academy can see they are part of his next big chapter! He dedicates all of his time to building something big ... Even though we are small.... I can't thank you enough for all your dedication to us. You're a great person, and we know you will go far... we are so thankful for you!
Always gon remember what he did at Poly and SC much Alofa Uso!!
One of the best high school running backs I ever seen. I remember growing up in LA and playing against Long Beach Poly in Pop Warner. They always used to bring it. They beat us 7-6 on a 80 yard Marcedes Lewis TD run in 93’
@bigdaddy3621
5 ай бұрын
I used to play for Paramount youth football back in the day. Long Beach, Carson, and Orange used to bring it for sure.
Hershel Dennis was THAT DUDE.. good look on this interview man.. me and my boys always go back to if he could stay healthy.. he was one of the first of the recruits that brought USC back to dominance
Phenomenal
thanks for sharing this. my two favorite running backs coming out of long beach poly as a following alumnus of the school and its tradiition, are herman ho-ching and hershel dennis.
Hershel dennis was a stud and its awesome to see him doing his thing in life
Story about his ACL remind of friday night light's
He lived in the same building as my Dad off of Atlantic and Cherry near the Church's chicken by the Lakewood mall in Long Beach. Used to go swimming with him in the sumner. Very cool brotha.
God bless you..God bless your mother and whole family..this is deeper than football or were you coming from...this is about family and love ..and as a person I who has love on there heart for all people...I just want to say I feel that ...
My Tri- City Bro!!!! Happy for you Bro, giving back to the youth. You had alot of adversity and I always rooted for you. Hope all is well
@1:38 miss you Tala 😢
I’m am touched with this story! ❤💪🏽
Good luck on your journey brother.
greatest high school football player I ever saw!
Awesome video. He's forever a legend here in Southern California. Im glad he is doing well with his family. Thank you mama Rose for persuading your son to go to SC lol. Rest in paradise
Great story.
I watched him playing , he's great RB and nice dude 👌
Great story
Great to see him I remember before he got to poly he grew up in Carson CA. Remember him at good old Calas park we already new he was Great before poly or usc .
Much CONGRATS Hershel!
During those Pete years you were one of my favorites bro! I loved your Mom, Rose. She was a super sweet lady. I can remember a game at ND where Myself and another Thundering Herd Member (Can't remember who) were provided a Golf cart. We saw Rose walking and we picked her up and gave her a ride from some place on campus to the Stadium. She was the sweetest lady ever. I don't remember much about how or why we got the Golf cart I just remember I drove it because I had lived on Catalina Island for so long and all we had were Golf carts, so I knew how to drive one safely. LOL! Every time I saw Rose at a game or practice after that she always came and said hello and gave me a hug. She is looking down on you so very very proud of all you are doing! Keep on going brother much success and all my Aloha to you!
Kid should have went to Oregon. Kids who earn a scholarship deserve to make their own decisions
He was cold in high school watch them every week in the 2000s
I used to live in Tacoma for years, but I've never heard of him.😊😅 Awesome guy story
I think Reggie Bush, and Lendale White had something to do with him not playing as much at USC also. Seems like a good dude tho.
I played against him in the Califlorida Bowl game 2002. J.White #25. Dennis was nice!!
Amen. Them boys in Long Beach at that time was something serious….
I played with him tri city falcons.
People forget, this guy put Reggie Bush and Lendell White on the bench. I saw him play against ND when Bush and White were freshmen and they had to come off the bench. I always wondered what happened to him. Sounds like he's in a good spot, God bless him🙏🏿
🔥🔥🔥
Backyard and Poly Georgetown 😢
Great story........#LongBeach💪 #USC✌️
Pete offered ma dukes some money 😂
I always wondered what if he had went to the ducks.. he was one of the best highschool football players ever..
Shouldve went to Oregon homie
You need to get in touch with coach prime bro bring all those Cali kids to bolder
@wejuggernautentertainmentl3156
Жыл бұрын
Hell nah blasphemous comment
Hershel Dennis at Oregon would've been sick.
I thank your mom for making you become a Trojan!! Fight On!!!
lol hershel dennis' son is my bestfriend. his name is zekiel dennis
Hershel D Oh GF😢 Tacz‡vh,Rosee ❤❤
I think that some people's talent is too much for their bodies to handle. Zion is the same way.
✌️✌️❤️❤️