College: Four-year letterwinner at Maine (2001-04) started at strong safety as a sophomore before switching to free safety for his final 2 years, starting 33-of-34 games played to finish his career. Started at FS for all 21 games appeared in during junior and senior seasons, leading team in tackles in each campaign. Finished career with 293 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 20 TFLs, 7 INTs, 10 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. Selected to All-Atlantic 10 first team, The Sports Network third-team All-America and New England Football Writers Division I-AA All-Star as a senior after posting 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 7.5 TFLs, 3 INTs, 1 PBU and 1 forced fumble. Recorded double-digit tackle efforts in 5 contests. Named Maine's Defensive Player of the Year after starting all 11 games at free safety and leading the team with 85 tackles while adding 2.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Selected to All-Atlantic 10 second team and was tabbed a New England Football Writers I-AA All-Star. Tallied at least 10 tackles in a game 4 times in 2003 including career-high 14 tackles against New Hampshire. Played 13 games as a sophomore, starting 12 at SS in team's 4-4 defensive package. Ranked 2nd on squad with 94 tackles with 4 sacks, 10 TFLs, 3 INTs, 6 PBUs, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Earned the "Hammer Award" for the Black Bears' best special teams hit in four games during freshman year and finished season with 14 special teams tackles. Majored in business.

Personal: Named defensive first-team all-county following senior season at Lincoln H.S. in Jersey City, N.J. after recording 63 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and blocking 3 punts. Selected MVP of the North/South All-Star game. Son of Annie Herring and Kyle McGowan.