Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Tigers have secured a commitment from UL Monroe transfer Hunter Herring, who will join the program as a tight end for the 2026 season. Herring, a versatile athlete who played multiple positions for the Warhawks, brings a unique skill set to the Plains.
Player Profile
Herring arrives at Auburn after a tenure at UL Monroe where he was deployed across the offense. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound athlete took snaps at quarterback, running back, and receiver, showcasing a broad range of abilities. During his career with the Warhawks, he completed 22 of 42 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns, rushed 49 times for 241 yards and four scores, and added four receptions for 17 yards. In the 2025 season alone, he appeared in 10 games, completing 5-of-10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown while also carrying the ball 20 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Herring was a three-star prospect out of Ouachita Christian School in the 2021 recruiting cycle. In high school, he was a prolific dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 2,769 yards and 34 touchdowns while rushing for 2,181 yards and 48 touchdowns over his career. His athleticism also translated to special teams at UL Monroe, where he blocked a punt.
Fit Analysis
The move to tight end at Auburn University is a logical progression for an athlete with Herring's frame and diverse offensive background. His experience as a quarterback provides him with a deep understanding of offensive schemes and passing concepts, which is invaluable at the tight end position. His history as a ball carrier demonstrates his comfort with the ball in his hands and an ability to run in the open field.
For the Auburn Tigers, this addition represents an opportunity to add a multi-talented player to the offense. Herring's combination of size and proven athleticism makes him a compelling prospect. The transition to a full-time tight end will allow him to focus his development on the nuances of the position, including route running and blocking, leveraging his natural abilities in a new role within an SEC offense.
Impact on Destination
Herring provides Auburn with a unique offensive weapon. His background as a quarterback and runner could allow for creative play-calling and formational alignments. He possesses the physical tools to develop into a reliable receiving target and a functional blocker in the run game. As he settles into the tight end position, he has the potential to create mismatches against opposing defenses.
What Origin Loses
For UL Monroe, the departure of Herring means losing a versatile and experienced offensive player. His ability to fill multiple roles, whether as a change-of-pace quarterback, a rusher in specific packages, or a contributor on special teams, gave the Warhawks valuable flexibility. The Warhawks will now need to find ways to replace the unique contributions he made across different facets of their game plan.