Malik Herring (born May 4, 1999) is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt University, where he was a four‑year starter on the Vanderbilt Commodores defensive line.
Early life and education
Herring was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, where he played high school football. He was rated as a three‑star recruit and received scholarship offers from several Division I programs before committing to Vanderbilt University.
College career
Herring enrolled at Vanderbilt in 2017 and redshirted his freshman year. Over the next four seasons (2018–2022), he appeared in 48 games, starting 33 of them. He recorded 151 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. Herring earned All‑SEC honorable mention honors in his senior season and was noted for his versatility in defensive schemes, playing both defensive end and defensive tackle positions.
Professional career
Herring entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round with the 250th overall pick. He signed a four‑year rookie contract with the Raiders in May 2023. Throughout the 2023 preseason, Herring contributed on special teams and as a rotational defensive lineman. As of the end of the 2023 regular season, he has appeared in several games, primarily in a backup role, recording a limited number of tackles.
Personal life
Herring is known for his involvement in community service initiatives, including youth mentorship programs in his hometown of Birmingham.
References
- Vanderbilt Commodores football roster, Vanderbilt University official athletics site.
- NFL Draft Tracker, 2023 NFL Draft official records.
- Las Vegas Raiders official roster and transaction announcements.