Elijah Herring says Tennessee defense is aiming for perfection

While they won’t get there, the goal for the Tennessee defense ahead of 2023 is simple: Be perfect. Sophomore linebacker Elijah Herring explained that even though such an ideal is unattainable, striving for that level of play will only raise the bar.

Tennessee finished No. 91 in total defense in 2022, allowing 405.3 yards per game. It was functional because the Volunteers offense was so potent, but a defensive uptick would serve the team well.

“I feel like we have done a bunch of great things. As of right now, everybody’s in tune with the playbook. We know what each and every one of us is doing. We can just grow more and more and more. We’re trying to be perfect, but you can’t get there so that just drives you insane because we want to be perfect,” Herring said. “I think we just keep it but we have been doing some great things on defense.”

Herring played in 12 games for Tennessee as a freshman in 2021, mostly in specific packages on defense and on special teams. He finished with four totals tackles but had two sacks and a pass defensed. At 6-foot-4 and 240-some pounds, Herring has a chance to help push the defense forward for Tennessee in 2023.

He had already earned some praise for Volunteers defensive coordinator Tim Banks ahead of his freshman campaign. From his physical tools to his desire to get better, there’s a lot to like, as Banks explained in August.

“We love his size. We love his mentality. He’s a guy who’s never satisfied, you know. He’s one of those guys you have to kick out the weight room, kick off the field. He just wants to be good. That starts with his upbringing and how he’s raised and how important football is to him,” Banks said.

Banks re-emphasized Herring’s impressive size. But noted it may take time before he’s ready to play big snaps.

“The next thing you think about to me is just his size. He’s a big, strong, strapping linebacker who still has some athleticism. Again, wasn’t ready coming out of spring. But as he continues to work at it, we think the sky’s the limit with him. It won’t surprise me if he’s fighting for some playing time this year,” Banks said.

Now, less than a year later, Herring has a season under his belt and now thrown down the gauntlet for Tennessee to play defense on the same level the Volunteers played offense in 2022.