American Heritage sees school-record sixth player picked in draft as Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert selected by Bears

Two transfers have worked out well for Khalil Herbert.

In high school, Herbert transferred from Stoneman Douglas to American Heritage and excelled. He did the same in college, transferring from Kansas to Virginia Tech. The transfer decisions worked, as the Chicago Bears drafted Herbert with the 217th pick, in the sixth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.

Herbert is the school-record sixth American Heritage player picked in this year’s draft, with more than a round remaining at the time of his selection.

The other Heritage draftees in 2021: CB Patrick Surtain II (ninth to the Denver Broncos), CB Tyson Campbell (33rd to the Jacksonville Jaguars), WR Anthony Schwartz (91st to the Cleveland Browns), Marco Wilson (136th to the Arizona Cardinals) and Tedarrell Slaton (173rd to the Green Bay Packers).

Herbert was a solid running back at Stoneman Douglas, earning second-team All-County honors as a junior after rushing for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns. He transferred to the Patriots before his senior year. As a senior, he rushed for 861 yards and nine touchdowns and was named a first-team All-County selection.

Despite his success in high school, Herbert was not a touted prospect. He was a low-three star in 247Sports’ composite rankings, and he signed with Kansas over four other teams.

With the Jayhawks, Herbert grew into a strong running back. Over four seasons, Herbert carried the ball 320 times for 1,735 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground.

For his final college season, Herbert decided to transfer to Virginia Tech. The move paid major dividends. Herbert rushed for 1,204 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and adding a touchdown reception. Herbert ended his college career as a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.