South Carolina continued to strengthen its defensive front this offseason by dipping back into the transfer portal and landing a proven SEC contributor. On Thursday, the Gamecocks earned a commitment from former Tennessee edge rusher, adding size, experience, and pass-rush production to their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
He announced his decision while visiting Columbia, selecting South Carolina over several high-profile suitors, including Texas, Mississippi State, Miami, Georgia, Clemson, and USC. He transfers in after spending three seasons with the Volunteers and will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, Caleb Herring appeared in 36 career games at Tennessee, making one start and becoming a consistent part of the defensive line rotation. Over his time in Knoxville, he totaled 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
The 2025 campaign marked his most productive season statistically. Playing in all 13 games as the primary backup at the LEO position behind Joshua Josephs, Herring recorded 14 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. He delivered a standout performance against Georgia with four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, and later added two sacks for a 14-yard loss in a road victory over Mississippi State.
In 2024, Herring appeared in 12 games, logging 119 defensive snaps and finishing with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. As a true freshman in 2023, he played in 11 games and posted three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble, highlighted by a strip sack against UTSA.
A former standout at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Herring entered college as an elite recruit. He signed with Tennessee as the top player in the state and the No. 16 defensive end nationally in the 2022 class. In the transfer portal, he was ranked among the top edge rushers, making him the third-highest rated incoming transfer in South Carolina’s 2026 class.
During his visit, Herring spent extensive time with head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks staff, while also building a connection with returning defensive end Dylan Stewart. He becomes the second defensive end and fifth defensive lineman South Carolina has added via the portal this offseason, joining Tomiwa Durojaiye, Jordan Thomas, Kelby Collins, and Drew Collins.