Former Vol named one of the top available players in the NCAA transfer portal

A former Tennessee Vols player was named by 247Sports this week as one of the top college football players currently in the NCAA transfer portal. 

Vols junior linebacker Elijah Herring, who announced on Monday that he's entering the NCAA transfer portal, was named on Tuesday by 247Sports as one of the top available players in the transfer portal with a "transfer grade" of 89. 

From 247Sports: Tennessee's leading tackler last season over the final 10 games, Elijah Herring is in the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Herring was thrust into action in September after a season-ending injury to Keenan Pili, whose return in 2024 creates a traffic jam of sorts at the linebacker spot for the Vols — and Herring wants first-team reps exclusively, per Vols247.

Herring, a former three-star recruit, led Tennessee in tackles last season while playing in place of injured starter Keenan Pili. 

With Pili returning in 2024, Herring was likely heading for a backup role without any guaranteed playing time.

Herring's brother, Caleb, is a talented sophomore edge rusher for the Vols who was rated as a four-star recruit during the 2023 recruiting cycle.