PHOTOS: Riverdale's Elijah Herring

Riverdale's Elijah Herring avoids Hendersonville defenders during Riverdale's 27-14 win over Hendersonville in the second round of the 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale's Dansrew Donalson (26) heads upfield as teammate Elijah Herring trails during Riverdale's 27-14 win over Hendersonville in the second round of the 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring looks for running room as Hendersonville's Keion Stafford (3) pursues during Riverdale's 27-14 win over Hendersonville in the second round of the 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale defenders Elijah Herring (31) and Zach Thomas (51) wrap up Hendersonville's Brent Rowe during Riverdale's 27-14 win over Hendersonville in the second round of the 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) celebrates with teammate C.J. Johnson (25) after Johnson scored a touchdown on a trick play where Warrior QB Jameson Holcomb passed to Kade Hewitt, who then found an open Johnson that put the Warriors up 14-7 at the time.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) gets around a defender during Riverdale's 40-0 win over Wilson Central in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs Friday.

Why chosen: Riverdale's Elijah Herring had 51 tackles with 10 for loss. He also had 3.5 sacks and blocked a punt.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) wraps up Wilson Central's C.J. Hatchett during Riverdale's 40-0 win over Wilson Central in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring celebrates a big defensive play during Riverdale's 40-0 win over Wilson Central in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs Friday.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) chases a ball-carrier during Friday's 28-0 win over Siegel.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) pursues on a play during Friday's win over Siegel.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) gets in position during Friday's win over Siegel.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) stiff-arms Siegel defender Maddox Purvis (13) Friday.

Oakland's running back Jordan James (2) runs the ball as Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) tries to get to him during the Battle of the Boro, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at Riverdale.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) runs the ball as Blackman's Elijah Pitts (12) moves in for a tackle on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Blackman.

Riverdale linebacker Elijah Herring (31) pressures Cookeville QB Stockton Owen.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) runs the ball as Blackman's defensive back Mark Cooper (7) stops him on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Blackman.

Blackman's running back Andrew Hudson-Jackson (21) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown as Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) tries to bring him down on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Blackman.

Blackman's quarterback Drew Beam (18) looks for an open receiver as Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) puts on the pressure while Blackman's offensive lineman John Hartman (78) blocks for Ben, on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Blackman.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring defends on a play during Thursday's practice.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring tries to juke a defender during Thursday's practice.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) gets a hand on the ball as QB Jameson Holcomb (10) feels the pressure during Thursday's practice.

Franklin's quarterback Connor Beavon (4) passes the ball that I intercepted by Riverdale's CJ Johnson (25) as Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) puts on pressure on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, at Riverdale.

Riverdale's CJ Johnson (25), left, and Elijah Herring (31) both tackle CPA's quarterback Cade Law (11) on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, at Riverdale.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring practices during the second week of practice at the school on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at the school.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring practices during the second week of practice at the school on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at the school.

Riverdale defender Elijah Herring (31) fends off a block by Mt. Juliet's Matt Delfendahl (15) during Friday's 6A playoff game.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) cheers as he runs onto the field with other Riverdale players before the Battle of the Boro against Oakland, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, at Oakland.

Blackman's Andrew Hudson-Jackson (21) runs the ball as Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) tackles him on Friday Sept. 27, 2019, at Riverdale.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring (31) tackles Cookeville quarterback Stockton Owen for a sack.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring during a 7-on-7 football match-up against Summit at Blackman on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring wraps up Riverdale quarterback Stockton Owen during Friday's game.

Riverdale's Elijah Herring during a 7-on-7 football match-up against Summit at Blackman on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.