One of the best defenders in Auburn’s history is being recognized by one of College Football’s most prestigious bowl games.
[autotag]Will Herring[/autotag], who played safety and linebacker for Auburn from 2003-06, is one of seven athletes who will be inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, representatives of the Cotton Bowl Classic announced.
Herring will be enshrined into the reputable game’s hall of fame due to his performance in Auburn’s 2007 Cotton Bowl win over Nebraska. Herring earned the McKnight Trophy, which is given to the game’s top defensive performer after making seven stops in Auburn’s 17-14 win.
In a press release, the Cotton Bowl revealed why Herring was worth the induction.
Will Herring had the blue and orange of Auburn University in his DNA. Born and raised less than 10 miles from the Auburn campus, he was a Tiger through and through. Herring was tough, smart, and possessed that all-important team-first mentality. He led Auburn in tackles as a junior at safety and again as a senior at linebacker. The 71st Cotton Bowl Classic was Herring’s 49th consecutive and final start for the Tigers, and his seven solo tackles were instrumental in helping Auburn take home a 17-14 victory over Nebraska. But it didn’t come easy. An Auburn turnover near midfield with just 5:24 to play could have proved costly, but it presented Herring and his defensive teammates one last opportunity to shine. They met the challenge and dashed Nebraska’s comeback hopes at the Auburn 30 to preserve a hard-fought victory for the Tigers.
Herring will be inducted into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame as a member of the hall’s 13th class on May 11 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Herring will be enshrined with seven others, including former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning and former Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel.
[mm-video type=video id=01gm9vwn7srdxstxdyyd playlist_id=none player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gm9vwn7srdxstxdyyd/01gm9vwn7srdxstxdyyd-c208a4c851a15f32afc146d1d6089459.jpg]
[listicle id=59329]