Pitt Contacts Tennessee Leading Tackler in the Transfer Portal

Elijah Herring has been in high demand since he entered the transfer portal this week, and Pitt is one of the teams in the mix.

Herring — a 6-foot-3, 230-pound rising junior linebacker from Riverdale High in Murfreesboro, Tenn. — has heard from Colorado, Florida State, Maryland, Penn State, Pitt and UCF since entering the portal, On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong reported.

Herring played in all 13 games at Tennessee last year as a sophomore, starting 11 games at middle linebacker, and was a key piece in the heart of the Vols’ defense. He recorded 581 defensive snaps and racked up 80 tackles (31 solo), four tackles for loss, a half-sack and a pass breakup.

According to PFF, Herring was a sure tackler (a low 12% missed tackle rate) and recorded 36 run stops. But he still has work to do as a linebacker in coverage. He wouldn’t be asked to drop back as much in the Pitt system as a Mike linebacker.

247Sports rates Herring as the 288th-ranked recruit in the transfer portal and the 22nd-ranked linebacker.

Pitt doesn’t necessarily have a major need at linebacker, especially Mike linebacker, but he’s a talented ‘backer who would be a solid addition, with two seasons of eligibility remaining. But it sounds like it will be difficult to land Herring, as he’s already taken an official visit to Colorado.

Brandon George and Braylan Lovelace played at Mike linebacker in the spring, and Keye Thompson (who missed just about the entire spring season due to injury) can play inside. Pitt lost both Bangally Kamara and Solomon DeShields to the transfer portal, but with the likes of Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles, Braylan Lovelace and Jordan Bass are all returning (we assume) at outside linebacker, the unit is in good hands.

Pitt has not received a commitment from the transfer portal this spring, but DeShields, defensive end Dayon Hayes, quarterback Christian Veilleux and defensive end Antonio Camon have all hit the portal from Pitt.