A model of consistency for the Tigers, Herring holds the school career record with 49 consecutive starts. He began his career as a safety before shifting to outside linebacker as a senior, leading all active Auburn players with 244 tackles.

At Opelika High School, the National Honor Society member was a standout quarterback. He earned Opelika-Auburn News Super 10, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Dandy Dozen, SuperPrep Alabama Top 20 and PrepStar All-Region honors. He led the team to a 10-2 record as a senior, picking up team MVP honors as he finished with 1,026 yards rushing on 122 carries (8.4 avg.) and 11 touchdowns and 952 yards passing with a combined 10 scores.

As a junior, Herring passed for 915 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 545 yards and 12 scores. The three-year starter at quarterback led the team to a 30-6 record during his career, gaining 2,638 yards passing with 22 touchdowns and 1,632 yards rushing with 27 scores. He also lettered in baseball, twice earning all-area recognition.

Herring saw brief action in two games, recording a pair of assisted tackles for Auburn in 2002 before the coaching staff decided to redshirt him. He was named to the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference team after starting 11 games at free safety in 2003. He ranked sixth on the team with 46 tackles (24 solos), as he recovered a fumble, deflected three passes and intercepted three others.

Herring remained at free safety throughout the 2004 season, starting all 13 games. He finished second on the team with 61 tackles (44 solos), including two stops for losses. He recovered a fumble, picked off three passes and had a trio of pass break-ups. He also rushed once for 12 yards.

As a junior, Herring earned All-SEC second-team honors. He started all 12 games at free safety, leading the team with 69 tackles (34 solos), adding two stops for losses and recovered a fumble for a 7-yard touchdown return.

In 2006, Herring shifted to right outside linebacker, as he again led the team with 72 tackles (45 solos). The All-SEC first-team choice also garnered ESPN Academic All-District IV honors. He had 1½ sacks, 10½ stops for losses and three pressures. He recovered and caused a fumble, deflected two passes and intercepted two others. He also gained 42 yards on a rushing attempt.

In 53 games at Auburn, Herring started 49 times. He recorded 250 tackles (147 solos) with two sacks for minus-13 yards and 16 stops fort losses of 42 yards. He added five quarterback pressures and a forced fumble while gaining 20 yards with a touchdown on four fumble recoveries. He deflected nine passes and intercepted eight others for 14 yards in returns (1.8 avg.). He also carried twice for 54 yards and blocked one kick.

Positives: Has a tall, athletic frame with long limbs, good upper body muscle development, thick legs, tight waist and room on his frame to carry more bulk if a team decides that he should remain at linebacker … Smart, instinctive player who is like a coach on the field, as he not only makes the defensive calls, but knows everyone's assignments and gets the team lined up … Gets good depth in his pass drops and does a nice job of keeping plays in front of him, but does show some hesitation in his closing burst … Shows improved body control to transition quickly and gives good chase effort … Not really an explosive tackler, but can generate functional strength behind his hits … Has impressive acceleration and body control playing the deep third of the field, and generates good leverage on the ball playing the zone … Uses his hands well to defeat blocks, and is very effective at keeping blockers off his feet … Has a sharp change of direction and knifes into the backfield quickly to push the pocket … Has increased his speed and is capable of recovering when beaten on intermediate routes … Showed better ability in run force as a senior, as he no longer looked hesitant trying to plug the rush lanes … Now attacks with decent aggression and can step up and fill the hole at the line … Extends his arms and grabs with his hands to get any piece of the ball carrier … Showed better ability taking on double teams when playing linebacker than he did at safety, dipping his shoulders and leaning in to slide off blockers … Comes hard on the outside charge and plants firmly against action directed in front of him … Has the agility and foot speed to drop off in short-area pass coverage, but has too much hip tightness to stay with his man on deep patterns … Lacks natural hands, but shows good extension and concentration to look the ball in for interceptions.

Negatives: Does not engage or shed well at the line of scrimmage, seeming more comfortable working in space than the box … His small linebacker's frame (needs to add more bulk if staying there at the next level) causes him to get bounced around a bit trying to get through trash … Still seems a little hesitant in taking on his assignments switching off in the zone … Lacks fluidity in his hips coming out of his backpedal, appearing to be too upright to make a fluid turning motion (labors to turn and run due to his erect stance) … Is only effective playing man coverage when he gets depth, as he fails to open up his hips and mirror the opponent through the route … Rounds out of his breaks, and while he has decent leaping ability it is sometimes negated due to poor timing going up for the ball in flight … Struggles to break down in space, and while he has good size and strength, he is not a punishing hitter and is more of a pile jumper at times.

Compares To: Keith Ellison, Buffalo Bills … Like Ellison, Herring might not have the size and blow-the-up hitting ability you want in a linebacker, but with quickness and field smarts priorities for a weak-side linebacker, Herring might have found a home with his position switch in 2006 … He has not convinced that he has the deep coverage skills to play safety in one-on-one passing situations, but when taking on backs and tight ends underneath, Herring does a decent job of keeping plays in front of him.

Campus: 4.57 in the 40-yard dash … 2.62 20-yard dash … 1.55 10-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times … 308-pound power clean … 36½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-5 broad jump … 3.99 20-yard shuttle … 6.56 three-cone drill … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9¾-inch hands … Right-handed.

Attended Opelika (Ala.) High School, playing football for head coach Spence McCracken …

The National Honor Society member was a standout quarterback … Earned Opelika-Auburn News Super 10, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Dandy Dozen, SuperPrep Alabama Top 20 and PrepStar All-Region honors … Led the team to a 10-2 record as a senior, picking up team MVP honors, as he finished with 1,026 yards rushing on 122 carries (8.4 avg.) and 11 touchdowns and 952 yards passing with 10 scores … As a junior, Herring passed for 915 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 545 yards and 12 scores … The three-year starter at quarterback led the team to a 30-6 record during his career, gaining 2,638 yards passing with 22 touchdowns and 1,632 yards rushing with 27 scores … Also lettered in baseball, twice earning all-area recognition.

Exercise Science major, earning ESPN Academic All-District IV honors in 2006 … Son of Libba and Rob Herring … Born Aug. 28, 1983 … Resides in Opelika, Ala.