Florida State football continues its efforts to retool the defensive side of roster through the transfer portal by landing the commitment of former Memphis linebacker Elijah Herring. Herring announced his commitment to the Seminoles after visiting Tallahassee on Saturday, with FSU officially confirming his signing on Sunday afternoon. Herring’s arrival marks another significant addition to a Florida State program looking to rebuild its defensive identity after a challenging 2-10 campaign.
Herring brings a wealth of experience and versatility to FSU. After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Tennessee, Herring transferred to Memphis for the 2024 season, where he quickly made an impact. In 11 games for the Tigers—he missed two due to injury (including FSU)—Herring tallied 60 tackles, including 33 solo stops. His stat line also featured 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four pass breakups, and two interceptions. He finished with an above average PFF grade of 69.
Herring played two seasons at Tennessee, where he developed into a reliable contributor. In 2023, his second and final year with the Volunteers, he started 11 games and appeared in 12, leading the team with 76 tackles. While his primary role was as a run-stopper, he also added 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.
Herring’s freshman season in 2022 saw him play in all 13 games, primarily as a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor. Despite limited opportunities, he managed 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup, laying the foundation for his future success.
Hailing from Newnan, Georgia, Herring played high school football at Riverdale in Tennessee, where he established himself as a dominant defensive presence. His combination of size, speed, and physicality caught the attention of Power Five programs early in his career. He brings 22 starts and over 1,400 snaps of experience to Tallahassee.
The Seminoles have been aggressive in the transfer portal, seeking to shift to a more aggressive defensive scheme under coordinator Tony White, who is known for his 3-3-5 system. Herring joins a group of talented incoming transfers, including linebacker Caleb Lavallee (UNC), defensive linemen Jayson Jenkins (Tennessee), James Williams (Nebraska), and Deamontae Diggs (Coastal Carolina).
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