Tennessee linebacker Elijah Herring plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal

Tennessee linebacker Elijah Herring plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong have learned. He spent the past two seasons with the Vols and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Herring started 11 of 12 games this past season at middle linebacker to lead Tennessee with 80 tackles (four for loss) and 0.5 sacks. He helped the Vols to rank third in the SEC and 23rd in the country this past season in scoring defense.

“I’d like to thank Coach Huepel & the University of Tennessee for the opportunity to play in my home state,” Herring wrote on X. “I appreciate all the support from the entire staff, my teammates, & fans. I have decided to enter the transfer portal & pursue other college opportunities. Love The Vols!

Herring proved himself immediately as a true freshman in 2022 to carve out a role on special teams and play all 13 games. He ended the year with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and two sacks.

As a recruit, Herring was a three-star prospect coming out of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He ranked as the No. 749 overall player and No. 59 edge rusher according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Herring will be able to officially enter his name when the spring transfer portal opens on Tuesday. Given the success he had this past year, he’s sure to have plenty of teams interested in bringing him on.

Elijah Herring is the 12th Tennessee player to enter the transfer portal this offseason. The Vols have also brought eight players in to rank No. 47 in the country and 12th in the SEC according to On3’s Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

Tennessee is coming off of a 9-4 season and hoping for a big fourth year under coach Josh Heupel. However, now they’ll have to do so without one of their biggest defensive leaders from this past year.

Tennessee remains in a good spot at the linebacker position despite the loss of Herring, with Keenan Pili returning for another season, veteran Kalib Perry remaining on the roster, and the continued emergence of sophomores Jeremiah Telander and Arion Carter. The Vols also bring in four-stars Edwin Spillman and Jordan Burns in the 2024 recruiting class.