After leading the Tennessee Volunteers in tackles in 2023, Elijah Herring was speculatively “forced” out of Knoxville due to starters returning from injury.
Herring landed at Memphis in an incredibly deep linebacker room that included First-Team All-ACCer Chandler Martin. Although he was an SEC transfer, nothing was given to Herring.
After playing about half of the Tiger's snaps in the season opener against North Alabama, Herring totaled 2 tackles and one quarterback hurry, along with a pedestrian 65.2 PFF defense grade.
But in week two against Troy, something clicked. The eye test told me he was the best player on the field against the Trojans. And so did the stats. He totaled 8 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
As head coach Ryan Silverfield said in his post-game presser, "That's a heck of an individual performance."
Troy running back Gerald Green took a carry up the middle but was stopped, and bullied, in his tracks when Elijah Herring snatched the ball away as he fell to the ground.
Herring's day of dominance propelled the Tigers to a 38-17 blowout of Troy as Memphis is preparing to face pre-season top-10 opponent Florida State seven days from now.
When asked about his mindset heading into week three, Herring said, "Go into next week confident but also level-headed."
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