Tennessee football linebacker transfers across the Volunteer state

Tennessee football linebacker Elijah Herring is one of four players to enter the transfer portal from Josh Heupel's program during the spring window. Cornerback Malik Ganaway, defensive lineman Camron Douglas, and cornerback Cristian Conyer joined Herring in the portal this spring. 

Herring was a three-star recruit out of high school and entered the transfer portal as a three-star transfer. He's the 23rd-best linebacker in the spring portal and ranked 296th overall. 

Herring was asked to do a lot on defense as a sophomore for the Vols. He finished his second season on Rocky Top with 79 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. He could have returned to a deep linebacker room at Tennessee for his junior season but chose to move on in the transfer portal. 

In the portal, Herring found his new home across the Volunteer State. He announced on Friday that he has committed to the Memphis Tigers. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker has the potential to be a game-changer for the Tigers and dominate the AAC for the next two seasons. 

Herring's transfer was a bit of a surprise to me when he entered the portal. He would have been a player for the Vols this season, or at least that's how it seemed, so seeing him go felt like a hit to Tennessee's depth and experience on defense. 

The Newburn, Georgia, native and graduate of Murfreesboro's Riverdale High School will now have experience playing in each part of the state after the 2024 season with Memphis. The Tigers beat out Colorado for Herring's commitment and will be the 23rd player to join the Memphis program this recruiting cycle.