The top-50 sophomore defensive end from Trinity High School in Louisville, Ky., returned to Tennessee on Saturday for the third time since June to attend its junior day, and he said the Vols still have a special place in my heart following his latest trip to Knoxville.
Tennessee has a special place in my heart, so from time to time I love to get back to Rocky Top and just really experience the fan base and coaching staff, said Herron, whos ranked by 247Sports as the nations No. 15 overall prospect and No. 2 weakside defensive end in the 2018 class. This new coaching change is definitely going to be different, but I still love Tennessee. They have a special place in my heart, so nothing really changes as of now. After September 1, when coaches can contact me, well see how things change.
I got to meet Brady Hoke, so that was a big plus, Herron said. Before coach (Butch) Jones left he had, I guess, a meeting to be at he took me in there and I got to talk to him for a few minutes, and Id never really gotten to do that. That really shows me their priorities when it comes to me. Tennessee has a special place in my heart, so from time to time I love to get back to Rocky Top and just really experience the fan base and coaching staff.
Having to develop this new relationships going to be tough. But Im going to have to power through it, because I still find Tennessee to be a very high school.
We talk every week, Herron said of Stripling. I talk to every coach every week, but we really had a special bond. He was the first coach to really display interest in me. It was definitely a little heartbreaking when I found out he wasnt going to be my coach.
Hoke, however, made a good first impression on him last weekend.
That was my first time getting to talk with him in person, so it was definitely a good experience, Herron said. Hes definitely a very intelligent coach and really knows the game, so Im eager to learn from him.
