Archie Herring

• Football (1986-89)
• Inducted 2002

Archie Herring was the best kickoff return specialist in Youngstown State football history. Herring, who played for the Penguins from 1987 through 1990, holds the school record for career kickoff returns, return yardage and return average.

At YSU, Herring returned at least 18 kickoffs each of his four years. He finished with 86 total returns for 2,156 return yards, averaging 25.1 yards per return. That average ranks as one top 30 all time in NCAA Division I-AA history.

His efforts helped the Penguins make the playoff three out of the four seasons he was a member of the squad.

He still ranks third in school history in career all purpose yardage with 4,331 yards and is 14th in career rushing at 2,103 yards.

Following his playing career, he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns as well as earned his degree from YSU in finance.

In 1990, Herring was a co-captain as the Penguins went 11-0 in the regular season marketing the first and only unbeaten season in school history. On the season, he scored 78 points and 13 total touchdowns, two of which came on kickoff returns.

He also had 20 kickoff returns for 611 yards and two touchdowns on the year. His 91-yard return against Edinboro tied the school record and later in the year, he added a 83-yard scoring return against Liberty. No other player has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same year as YSU.

As the starting tailback, he had 904 yards rushing on 221carries and scored 11 touchdowns. He added four receptions for 32 yards.

In 1989, he finished the year scoring 74 points on 12 touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He led the team in rushing with 1,095 yards on 166 attempts while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He also caught four passes 26 yards. Again excelling at returning kickoffs, he had 25 returns for 565 yards, averaging 22.6 yards per return. That year, the Penguins finished 9-4 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time.

With the penguins needing help on defense in 1988, Herring was moved to to defensive back. In his one season on defense, he had 22 tackles, including 19 solo stops and had three pass breakups. He returned 23 kickoffs for 596 yards, an average of 25.9 per return.

Herring began his YSU career in 1987 when he rushed for 104 yards on 32 carries and scored a touchdown against Northeastern. He showed a knack for returning kicks with 18 returns for 384 yards, and averaged 21.9 yards per return.

That season, the penguins made the Division I-AA Playoffs for the first time in school history.

In the spring following his first football campaign, Herring played for the YSU baseball team.

Before coming to Youngstown, he was a standout athlete as Massillon Perry High School. He played baseball and football where he was an all-conference selection and MVP in both sports. As a senior he earned all-state honors in baseball as well.

Archie and his wife Margo have three children, Channing, Camille and Archie Dean. He is currently the president of Herring Insurance Inc. which provides insurance and financial service in Greensboro, N.C.