Countdown to Kickoff: Kyle Hergel is the Saints Player of Day 60

There are 60 days separating us from now and the 2025 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints. Kellen Moore comes into the year as the team's new head coach. One of the carryovers from last year's squad trying to make Moore's roster is reserve offensive lineman Kyle Hergel, who currently wears number 60. Our Saints Player of the Day, here's a closer look at Hergel's background and career.

• Name (age): Kyle Hergel (25)
• Hometown: Clarkson, Mississauga, Canada
• Position: Offensive guard
• Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 315 pounds
• College: Boston College Eagles
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.83
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (Saints)
• NFL experience: 1 year
• 2025 salary cap hit: $960,000

Near Ontario, Canada, Hergel didn't attract a ton of college football interest and would wind up attending North Dakota out of Clarkson Secondary School. After redshirting his first year with the Fighting Hawks, he'd win a starting job at guard in 2019 before transferring the following year. Hergel landed at Texas State in 2021 and was instantly installed as a starting guard. He'd remain with the Bobcats for two years, earning 1st Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2022 before transferring to Boston College. Hergel started every game for the Eagles that season, earning honorable mention All-ACC recognition then performing well at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Hergel was not selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he was chosen in Round 1 of the CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders with the third overall pick. Hergel decided instead to sign an undrafted rookie contract with the Saints. New Orleans released him at the conclusion of the preseason but immediately signed him back to their practice squad. Hergel would see his first NFL action with a few special teams snaps against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. As injuries ravaged the New Orleans line, Hergel was pressed into more playing time. He'd wind up appearing in eight games on the year, playing 45 snaps on offense and another 26 on special teams.

Under an entirely new coaching staff, Kyle Hergel faces a stiff challenge to hold on to a roster spot. He'll need to show improvement as both a pass blocker, a strength in college, and in the running game to hold off the other offensive linemen that the Saints brought in this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Kyle Hergel is the Saints Player of Day 60