"LSU is my latest offer," Herron said. "Arizona State, Auburn,
Miami, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio State have also offered me recently."
Add that list of offers to the scholarships he already holds from Tennessee, Vanderbilt,
Ole Miss, Mississippi Sate, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Clemson, and several more and
it's difficult to find another Tennessee football recruit with such an impressive list of offers.
"It's an honor, really. I have 19 total scholarship offers right now from
some of the best programs in the country. I really didn't see this happening.
I'm blessed."
Herron, of Memphis, Tenn., is a two-sport star for Central, but football is where he
is going to make his living.
"I'm just really quick off of the ball. I play the run well too. I like
to pride myself on being a well-rounded lineman."
Last season he had 54 tackles, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles playing at 250 pounds. But he's shed 15 pounds during a vigorous off-season in the weight room.
"I've added 40 pounds to my bench press (275 to 315). I'm just doing a
lot of running and lifting because I missed spring training to play basketball.
I've dropped 15 pounds, and I feel a lot faster and stronger. I can't wait to
get going next fall."
Where all has Herron visited this spring?
"So far I've been to Ole Miss, Vandy, Tennessee, LSU, and Memphis. I plan
on going to the Ole Miss and Mississippi State spring games Saturday."
Herron received his LSU scholarship while on his Junior Day trip.
"When I visited down there I could see myself playing for LSU because of Coach
(John) Chavis. His plays and recruits the best players in the country. He likes
his players to be fast and strong and I could just see myself playing defensive
end for him."
What stood out about LSU the most while on the trip?
"They were talking about how they want me to come right in and start as a
freshman. They're losing three of their four-man rotation to the pros next year
so they're looking for some freshmen to come in and take those spots. They want
me to be one of those guys."
Vandy was his latest trip.
"I went to Nashville last weekend. Brian Kimbrow is going there and we're
good friends. He's really high on Vandy's education and their coaching staff.
He fell in love with it so he wanted me to come check it out with him. They're
turning that program around. I like Coach (James) Franklin. I saw more intensity
from Vandy at their practice than I've ever seen. I've never seen them play
that hard and fast. I like how they move their ends around and let them play in
coverage and get after the quarterback. They just move them around and let them
roam the field."
Tennessee hosted Herron last month.
"I have two teammates who play up there in Darrell Stokes (plays hoops) and
Cameron Clear, a tight end up there. They tell me about how Coach (Derek)
Dooley and Coach (Cuonzo) Martin run things. They're doing great things up there. Their
defensive coordinator (Sal Sunser) is a legend. They let their ends move to outside
linebacker and even inside linebacker at times."
What stood out the most about the Vols on the trip?
"I like how big their campus is and the academic help they can give you even
if you have to leave early and go play in the pros. The Vols for Life program
helps you come back and get your degree. That was nice to know because it's hard
getting your degree in three years. If you have a chance to go make millions,
you have to do it."
Ole Miss was his first visit this spring.
"I have a cousin who plays volleyball there. She says I'll love it there.
I want to learn more about their academic programs on this trip and see more of
their campus.
The Rebels were fading off his list at one point. However, that's changed.
"I went to their camp last summer and they liked me a lot. They were recruiting
me as a tight end, but I'm better on the defensive side of the ball. They fell
off of my list altogether when they hired a new staff, but Coach (Hugh) Freeze got them
right back on it. Coach (Maurice) Harris told me as soon as he was hired that
I was a target for them. We talk all of the time, at least once a week. Coach Harris is always talking about things outside of football like my grades
and family and just my personal life. He grew up in a rough neighborhood too and
came from a one-parent home. We talk about the things we have to do in life to
get out of the hood. You have to take care of your business and get a college
degree. We just have a lot in common."
Mississippi State has also shown interest.
"Coach (Dan) Mullen and Coach (Angelo) Mirando are great guys. I try and talk
to them once a week. Coach Mirando said I can come in and play right away. He
said it's amazing that their defense has been so good without a big time defensive
end, and we just talk about the things they could do with someone like me in there.
I'm a big priority for them."
Players are committing left and right around the country but Herron is no hurry.
"I still don't even have a top-5 or anything. I'm not sure when I'm going
to narrow it down to five schools but it'll probably be real soon. The most
important thing for me is to get my degree and where I can see myself in four
or five years. I want to go where they can develop me and get me into the league."
Yancy Porter is the Mississippi Scout for Scout.com and he can be reached at
yporter@scout.com
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