CAREER
Physical and athletic in-state linebacker who has assumed a staring role with injury to Keenan Pili ... Enrolled at UT in January 2022, served as a backup at SAM linebacker and was also a key contributor on special teams as a true freshman ... Reunites with his brother, Caleb, who is a true freshman … Has totaled 87 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, two sacks, two QB hurries and a pass defended in his career ... Played in 25 career games and made 11 starts.
2023 - SOPHOMORE
Has played in all 12 games this season and started the last 11 at MLB ... Leads the team with 76 total tackles ... Capped the regular season with five tackles in win over Vanderbilt (11/25) ... Made six tackles vs. No. 1 Georgia (11/18) ... Finished with six tackles at No. 14 Missouri (11/11) ... Posted eight tackles for the third consecutive week and also had half a TFL in victory vs. UConn (11/4) ... For the second week in a row, tied a career high with eight tackles to help lead UT to a road win at Kentucky (10/28) ... Tied a career high with eight tackles at No. 11/8 Alabama (10/21) ... Tied for the team lead with five tackles in win vs. Texas A&M (10/14) ... Led the team with six total tackles in win over South Carolina (9/30) ... Topped his career high in tackles from the previous week with eight in win over UTSA (9/23) and added a TFL and a QB hurry ... Tallied a career-high seven tackles to go along with half a TFL in SEC opener at Florida (9/16) ... Made his first-career start and finished with four tackles in win over Austin Peay (9/9) ... Finished with a team and career-high five tackles and had half a TFL in just 24 snaps during season-opening win over Virginia (9/2).
2022 - FRESHMAN
Played in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams coverage … Finished the year with 11 tackles – 4 solo – and 2.5 for loss and two sacks … Added one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup … Finished with one tackle in win at Vanderbilt (11/26) ... Had a season-best three tackles and half a TFL in extended playing time in victory over UT Martin (10/22) ... Made three tackles and recorded a pair of sacks in the span of three plays to wreck a drive in the third quarter in win over Akron (9/17) ... Made one assisted tackle in his collegiate debut vs. Ball State (9/1).
HIGH SCHOOL
Physical and athletic in-state linebacker and disruptive pass rusher originally from Georgia who played his final two prep seasons at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee … Enrolled at UT in January 2022 and went through spring practice … Rated a consensus three-star recruit by all major recruiting services … The No. 21 player in the state of Tennessee according to 247Sports Composite … The No. 13 player in the state and the No. 46 rated linebacker in the nation by 247Sports.com … Tabbed the No. 10 player in the Tennessean’s 2021 “Dandy Dozen” … Named a first-team selection for the Tennessean’s 2020 All-Midstate Team … Racked up 67 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2021 … Totaled 51 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a junior in 2020 … Helped lead Riverdale High School to a 10-2 record and the second round of the TSSAA Class 6A state playoffs in 2021 … Helped the Warriors reach the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state playoffs as a junior in 2020 … Also played some wide receiver in high school, totaling 21 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown over the past two seasons … Chose Tennessee over 12 other Division I offers, including 10 from Power 5 programs … Committed to the Vols in April 2021 … Coached by Will Kriesky.
PERSONAL
Full name is Elijah David Herring … Born on May 29, 2003 … Son of Nicholas and Tiffany Herring … His younger brother, Caleb, is a freshman defensive lineman with the Vols … Majoring in management … Twitter handle is @ElijahHerring12 … Instagram handle is @elijaherring._
