The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 35 P L AY E R BIOS BY EJ HOLLAND It's been a long time coming for Amir Herring. The four-star in-state offensive line- man out of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High has been on recruiting radar screens since he was a freshman and notched a Michi- gan offer way back in July 2020. Herring's process officially came to an end during the early signing period when he put pen to paper and signed Dec. 21 with U-M, which held the lead in his re- cruitment for more than two years. "It was a surreal feeling to make it of- ficial," Herring said. "I feel like I've put in the work throughout my whole career. Overall, this is a big steppingstone to where I wanted to go. But I'm really excited to be part of the program. Michigan was the best fit for me and my family." Herring picked Michigan over several Power Five offers shortly after his summer official visit. He remained solid through- out the process and was one of the more vocal leaders of the recruiting class. "I chose Michigan because of the cul- ture they've built as well as the offensive line culture," Herring said. "Continuing to see the domination of the offensive line with back-to-back Joe Moore Awards re- ally made Michigan the right fit for me. I feel like Coach [Sherrone] Moore is the best offensive line coach in the country." Being a local prospect certainly had its benefits. Herring made numerous vis- its to Michigan and attended multiple camps. That allowed him to work closely with U-M offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore and get a feel for his coaching style. Herring enrolled at Michigan in Janu- ary, and the experience he has with Moore should ease the transition while he gets ready to participate in spring practices. "Coach Moore is a technician," Herring said. "I love working with him because I always feel like he helps me improve. That's a big reason I committed. When I worked with him this summer, I just picked up so many things." Herring started at tackle for West Bloomfield but projects as an interior of- fensive lineman at the next level. He has all the tools to be a successful guard but also has been working on his snapping in case a move to center is in his future. Either way, Herring is a physical run blocker who loves to get nasty in the trenches, making him a perfect match in Ann Arbor. "I feel like I fit in very well in the sys- tem," Herring said. "I'm a road-grader type of blocker. I feel like I can play all over the offensive line. I can envision myself in the same position as some of the guys in that offensive line room." ❏ 2023 Projection With the departure of Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan will have a wide-open competition for the starting center job. Herring is already on campus and will have a chance to compete for the role. While it's unusual for offensive linemen to start or play early in general, Herring is technically advanced and has an extremely high floor. At worst, he'll provide depth in the interior of the offensive line. Herring, an On3 Consensus four-star recruit, recorded more than 240 pancake blocks as a four-year starter at West Bloomfield (Mich.). PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND STATISTICS • Recorded more than 240 pancake blocks in his career as a four-year starter, mak- ing 46 straight starts. • Charged with only 1 sack allowed across his last three seasons. • Credited with 85 pancake blocks as a senior. • Part of the Lakers' 2020 MHSAA Division 1 championship team that finished 11-1 for the program's first-ever state title his sophomore year. • Helped lead West Bloomfield to a 39-7 overall record in his four years as a starter. HONORS • Under Armour All-American Game participant. • Polynesian Bowl All-Star selection. • Named a PrepStar Top 350 All-American (No. 215). • Two-time all-state selection (Detroit Free Press, 2021-22). • MLive Detroit Metro Dream Team for Offense (first team, 2022). • Detroit Free Press Dream Team (2022). • Three-time all-conference and all-region. • Anvil Award Finalist for state's best "big man" (lineman or linebacker). RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan July 7, 2022, after receiving offer in July 2020. • Picked U-M over offers from Michigan State, Nebraska, Missouri and Pitt. • Recruited by U-M offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore. DID YOU KNOW? • An early enrollee at U-M. • High school teammate of fellow early enrollee Semaj Morgan and U-M rising junior Donovan Edwards. • Also lettered in basketball. • Son of Idris and Christina Herring. • Born Dec. 30, 2004. AMIR HERRING OFFENSIVE LINE 6-4 • 295 WEST BLOOMFIELD HIGH SOUTHFIELD, MICH. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 309 19 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 56 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 26 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 169 8 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 240 15 5 consensus Under Armour All-American Amir Herring Ready To Compete On U-M Offensive Line THEY SAID IT U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh: "Amir's been a four-year starter at West Bloomfield. It's practically impossible to start on a high-caliber high school football team as a freshman. … He's a really great student. I love O-linemen who are street smart and book smart — savvy about the game, but also just smart."