Tennessee linebacker Elijah Herring announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on social media on Monday night. Herring’s announcement comes just over 48 hours removed from the end of Tennessee’s spring training camp and the Orange and White game on Saturday in Knoxville.
Herring’s time at Tennessee comes to a close after two seasons in the program with two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next program.
“I’d like to thank Coach Heupel & the University of Tennessee for the opportunity to play in my home state,” Herring posted to X on Monday night. “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!”
I'd like to thank Coach Huepel & the University of Tennessee for the opportunity to play in my home state. 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!
— Elijah Herring (@ElijahHerring12) April 16, 2024
More from RTI: Pair Of Blue-Chip Offensive Tackles Visit Tennessee For Orange and White Game
“Love ya my boy!” Tennessee redshirt sophomore linebacker Jalen Smith replied on X.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker has been out of spring camp recovering from injury, which opened up practice opportunities for other linebackers in the room such as rising sophomore Jeremiah Telander and rising junior Kalib Perry. Tennessee also saw freshman linebacker Edwin Spillman tie the team lead in tackles during the spring game, only adding to the Vols’ depth.
Tennessee linebacker Keenan Pili returned from injury this spring while sophomore linebacker Arion Carter has been sidelined with an injury that occurred late last season.
Herring was thrust into the lineup as the starting MIKE linebacker last season after Keenan Pili’s injury in the season-opener against Virginia and saw time in all 13 of Tennessee’s games. Herring led Tennessee in tackles (76) with standout games against Alabama and Kentucky in October.
Herring recorded six or more total tackles in seven of 13 games this past season with his lone sack taking place in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa.
Herring recorded 11 tackles during his freshman season with a reserve linebacker and special teams role but broke out during his sophomore season.
Herring was a three-star prospect in the class of 2022 while playing for Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Herring was also Tennessee’s first commit in the class. Elijah’s younger brother Caleb, a defensive lineman on the Vols’ roster, is a rising sophomore on the Tennessee defense.
Herring is the first Tennessee player to enter the transfer portal in the spring period, which officially re-opens on Tuesday. With Herring entering the portal, we’ll see if Tennessee decides to recruit new talent for assistant coach William Inge’s position group or if the Vols are content with the young depth that’s currently in the room.
Rocky Top Insider wrote about four potential positions of need from the transfer portal as it opens up on Tuesday, which you can find here.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more on Tennessee’s offseason as the summer begins and the portal opens back up.
