Mark Herzlich

Linebacker Mark Herzlich plays college football for the Boston College Eagles football team in the NCAA.

On May 14, 2009, Herzlich announced that he is suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. At the time of the announcement he was unsure how it would affect his football career, but stated that he was returning home to Pennsylvania to undergo testing and create a plan for treatment.ESPN.com: BC Linebacker Herzlich Fighting Cancer

After receiving Associated Press Class AAAA All-State honors in high school, Herzlich enrolled at Boston College, making his college football debut in 2006. In his freshman season, he recorded 42 tackles, five tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one interception and one sack to earn Freshman All-American honors by College Football News. Herzlich started in all 14 games in the 2007 season, increasing his stats to 97 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and one interception, as the Boston College Eagles reached the ACC Championship Game.Boston College Eagles: Mark Herzlich

Herzlich had a standout junior season in 2008, leading the team with 110 tackles, six interceptions and two forced fumbles. He helped the Eagles reach the ACC Championship Game for the second-consecutive season, as well as the Music City Bowl. Herzlich's performance was honored with All-American selections, a nomination for the Butkus Award, as the top college football linebacker, as well being selected as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.Boston College Eagles: Mark Herzlich The Butkus Award: MarkHerzlich #94 The Boston Globe: Herzlich Gets ACC's Backing