As the college football world continues to change, coaches have to bring their A-game to land top recruits. Some programs spend millions. Others roll out the red carpet. But with senior edge rusher Caleb Herring, South Carolina fans can be credited with helping secure the star talent.
Transferring in from Tennessee, Herring spent the first three years of his collegiate career with the Volunteers, appearing in 36 games while recording five sacks, eight tackles for loss and 25 total tackles.
Midway through his third season at Tennessee, Herring said he felt it was time for a change despite his coaches trying to get him to stay.
“I was having a great time and was still giving it my all,” Herring said. “But it was probably time for me to go. I needed new scenery. I felt like if I would have stayed there, because I was getting too comfortable at the same time, but if I had stayed, they probably wouldn’t have gotten the best out of me my last year.”
Herring officially entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2 and quickly drew interest from programs such as Georgia, Texas and Mississippi State.
South Carolina didn’t reach out until just days before the portal closed on Jan. 16. He took a visit to Columbia in mid-January and felt a connection.
“I came here, and I really enjoyed it,” Herring said. “The coaches, they were being real with me, telling me things that I needed to work on instead of just praising me the whole time.”
Later that evening, Herring was spotted in the student section at South Carolina’s women’s basketball game against Texas, alongside incoming running back transfer Christian Clark from Texas.
Along with the honesty from the coaching staff, Herring said the excitement from fans during his visit and after his commitment stood out.
“They showed me how much people really cared for real, especially the South Carolina fans,” Herring said. “Mind you, South Carolina, they didn't hit me up until my last week of being in the portal."
Herring also mentioned he egged-fans on a bit, asking if he should give South Carolina a shot and saying that he would visit.
The reality of the moment fully set in when he checked X, formerly known as Twitter, and saw the buzz following his commitment.
Herring describes himself as an athletic, smart, team-first player. He credits Tennessee for teaching him how to be unselfish and how to help younger players build a winning culture.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Herring knows what he wants from his final season of college football.
“I'll say dominate,” Herring said. “Really just taking in my last year of college because, I mean, not too many people get this opportunity to be in college, and I feel like this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Herring will get the opportunity to face his former team this season thanks to the new nine-game conference schedule taking effect this upcoming football season. The Gamecocks are set to host Tennessee in October at Williams-Brice Stadium.