The altruistic relationship of the Herring brothers
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (BVM) 鈥� Wanting to emulate your older siblings is something most kids go through. This was the case for Caleb Herring as he watched his brother Elijah consistently improve his play early on throughout his high school career.
This was enough motivation for Caleb to give football a shot during the fall of his eighth grade year.
鈥淗e was always good, but when he got to high school, that鈥檚 when his game took the next step,鈥� Caleb said. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥楳aybe I can be like him one day.鈥欌��
Now a few years later, both are big names throughout the high school football circuit in middle Tennessee.
Elijah just wrapped up his senior season and is now an early enrollee at the University of Tennessee, while Caleb ranks as the No. 1 player in the state for the 2023 class according to .听
— Elijah Herring (@ElijahHerring12)
For the past few years, the brothers have wreaked havoc on the defensive side of the ball for Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
This past season, the two linebackers combined for 133 tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to lead the Warriors to a 10-2 record.
With Elijah already on campus in Knoxville, the upcoming spring will be an adjustment period for Caleb on the football field at Riverdale.
鈥淚t鈥檚 gonna be kind of weird at first,鈥� Caleb said. 鈥淲ith the spring game that we鈥檙e having and even the practices are gonna be weird. I鈥檇 say by the season that I鈥檓 gonna be used to it.鈥�
While Caleb tries to adapt in Murfreesboro, Elijah is beginning his time as a student-athlete three hours east of where he calls home.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an adjustment,鈥� Elijah said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e getting way more work than we did in high school. We just have to be on top of everything, so it really makes you mature at a fast rate.鈥�
As Elijah acclimates in the classroom, he is also getting used to the college game as spring practice has already begun for the Volunteers.
鈥淵ou really have to be focused on what you鈥檙e doing,鈥� Elijah said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 way faster than anything I expected.鈥�
With Elijah already having gone through the recruiting process, he has been a big help to Caleb, who has 32 collegiate offers and counting.
The decision to pick a school to maximize your ceiling as a player can be stressful, but Elijah has reminded Caleb to take a deep breath.
鈥淚鈥檇 be stressed out and he鈥檇 come up to me and be like, 鈥楧on鈥檛 stress out on me,鈥欌�� Caleb said. 鈥溾�楯ust be grateful and thankful because not too many people are in the position that you鈥檙e in right now. Just thank God.鈥欌��
With many expecting Elijah to be the Vols鈥� lead recruiter for Caleb, that is not necessarily the case. Elijah wants Caleb to prioritize the school that fits him best, whether it is Tennessee or another school.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to put too much pressure on him,鈥� Elijah said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not the one doing four years for him. I want him to enjoy wherever he鈥檚 at.鈥�
https://twitter.com/CalebHerring19/status/1445869675326365699
Two of Caleb鈥檚 interests in a school are a family atmosphere and name, image and likeness opportunities. Both happen to be strengths of the University of Tennessee, but it will ultimately be Caleb鈥檚 decision.
Even if they do not play collegiate football together, they will always check and balance one another in order for them to both achieve all of their future goals.
鈥淗e鈥檚 always been that figure to keep my head straight,鈥� Caleb said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l keep his head straight.鈥�
