Tennessee linebacker and leading tackler Elijah Herring transferring to Memphis

Former Tennessee linebacker Elijah Herring will transfer to Memphis, he announced Friday on social media.

Herring led the Vols with 80 tackles as a sophomore last season after replacing starter Keenan Pili, who suffered a season-ending injury in the opener.

But with Pili returning and Jeremiah Telander surging in spring practice, it appeared Herring would fall back into a backup role in the 2024 season. So he entered the transfer portal on April 15, following a spring practice in which he was limited by injuries.

Herring, a former Riverdale standout from Murfreesboro, started 12 games at middle linebacker last season. He played 26 games and made 91 tackles during his two seasons with the Vols.

His younger brother, Caleb Herring, remains at UT as an edge rusher and previously was the top-rated recruit in the state of Tennessee in the 2023 signing class.

UT's linebacking corps was already in transition with starter Aaron Beasley going to the NFL and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary leaving for Michigan.

New linebackers coach William Inge will rely on Pili, the BYU transfer, for leadership and performance. Telander, Arion Carter, Kalib Perry and Jalen Smith also return. They are joined by freshmen Edwin Spillman and Jordan Burns.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee linebacker, top tackler Elijah Herring transfers to Memphis