Justin Herbert

Justin Patrick Herbert was born on March 10, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon. He attended Sheldon High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. A broken leg during his junior year complicated his recruitment. Despite this, as a senior, Herbert passed for 3,130 yards and 37 touchdowns, and rushed for 543 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors. He received NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision offers from Nevada and Oregon, ultimately committing to Oregon in October 2015. While in high school, he also co-founded and served as president of the Sheldon High School Fishing Club.

Herbert played college football for the Oregon Ducks from 2016 to 2019. He became the first true freshman at Oregon to start at quarterback since 1983. In 2019, he led the Ducks to a 12–2 record, including a victory in the Rose Bowl where he was named Offensive MVP. That same year, he received the William V. Campbell Trophy, recognizing his excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in general science. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Herbert quickly established himself in the NFL. He became the Chargers’ starting quarterback in the second game of his rookie year, setting multiple rookie statistical records, including most touchdown passes (31) and 300-yard games (8). For his performance, he was named the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. In 2021, he achieved a franchise first by throwing for over 5,000 yards in a season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. Ahead of the 2023 season, Herbert signed a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension, signifying his long-term role with the team. He also became the second-fastest quarterback to reach 2,000 career pass completions and holds NFL records for most passing yards in his first two, three, four, and five seasons.