Justin Herron Bio
Justin Herron (born November 27, 1995) is an American professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before being selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he has also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints, building his career as a steady presence on the offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Justin Herron was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and grew up in the surrounding region. He attended the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, where he first developed as an offensive lineman on the football team. Beyond football, he was a well-rounded student, playing baseball and basketball while also serving as a trumpeter in the school’s jazz band.
Coming out of high school, Herron was rated as a three-star recruit. He drew scholarship offers from several programs, including Boston College, Old Dominion, Rutgers, and Villanova, before ultimately committing to Wake Forest. His father, Reggie Herron, played basketball at Villanova, and his uncle Keith was a second-round selection in the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, going on to play five seasons in the league. This athletic family background helped shape his early approach to competitive sports.
Path to American Football
Herron’s path to professional football ran through the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at Wake Forest, where he spent six seasons developing his craft as an offensive tackle. He committed to the Demon Deacons as a developmental prospect and gradually earned a larger role on the offensive line during his college years.
His senior campaign was cut short when he tore his ACL in Week 1 of the 2018 season. Herron returned to the program as a graduate student for another year, took on a leadership role as a team captain, and earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2019. He also set the Wake Forest record with 51 games played, cementing his reputation as a durable and dependable lineman before declaring for the NFL draft.
Justin Herron Career
Early Career (2020)
Justin Herron entered the NFL in 2020 when the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round with the 195th overall pick. He joined a Patriots team in transition and worked to carve out a role on the offensive line. His rookie season was interrupted on October 31, 2020, when he was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, before being activated on November 28 of that year.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2020–2022)
During his time in New England, Herron appeared in regular season games and contributed as a depth offensive tackle. He earned his first extended NFL playing time with the Patriots and gained valuable experience working within a championship-caliber organization. The Patriots saw enough in his development to keep him on the roster through the early part of 2022.
On September 21, 2022, the Patriots traded Herron and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, ending his initial NFL chapter. Across his time in New England, he had established himself as a reliable swing tackle capable of filling in along the offensive line.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2023)
Herron’s Raiders tenure was marked by both opportunity and adversity. He played in seven regular season games across two seasons with the team, dealing with a knee injury and a concussion during that stretch. He suffered a torn ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve on October 7. After working through his rehabilitation, Herron was waived by the Raiders on December 27, 2023.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024)
On April 29, 2024, Herron signed with the New Orleans Saints, looking to revive his career in the NFC South. His season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on July 28, 2024, ending his year before it could fully take shape. The move gave him a fresh start with a new organization as he continued his recovery.
Justin Herron Career Wins
NFL Highlights
Justin Herron has notched regular season appearances across multiple NFL stops, including the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and New Orleans Saints. Through the 2024 season, he had played in 35 career regular season games with 11 starts, reflecting his value as a depth offensive tackle who can step into a starting role when called upon.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Herron set the Wake Forest record with 51 games played during his career with the Demon Deacons, an accomplishment that highlights his consistency and durability. He also earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2019, capping his college career with one of the conference’s top individual recognitions for an offensive lineman.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond the football field, Justin Herron received an “Outstanding Service” award from the Tempe, Arizona, Police Department on March 22, 2021. He and another citizen were recognized for helping save a woman from a violent sexual assault, demonstrating courage and character off the field. His selection in the 2020 NFL draft and his record-setting 51 games played at Wake Forest stand as the most significant milestones of his football journey.
Justin Herron Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Justin Herron comes from an athletic family rooted in the Mid-Atlantic region. His father, Reggie Herron, played basketball at Villanova, and his uncle Keith was a second-round selection in the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Keith went on to play five seasons in the NBA, giving the family a strong professional sports pedigree that influenced Justin’s path into athletics.
Personal Life
Justin Herron has built his life around football, family, and community service. His recognition by the Tempe, Arizona, Police Department in 2021 highlighted his willingness to step forward in moments of crisis. He continues to be known for the steady, team-first approach he brings to the locker room and his local community.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Herron signed with the Detroit Lions on August 2, 2025, marking his fourth NFL stop in five seasons. The opportunity represented a chance to compete for a roster spot on a Lions team that had emerged as a contender in the NFC. He was placed on injured reserve eight days later as he continued to manage his recovery from prior injuries.
Herron was released by the Lions on November 4, 2025, ending his time with the organization. Through his career, he has continued to pursue opportunities to contribute as a depth offensive tackle, even as injuries have shaped the arc of his professional journey.
Looking ahead, Herron remains a veteran offensive lineman with starting experience and a track record of resilience. His ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line, combined with his leadership experience as a former Wake Forest team captain, makes him a candidate to land with another NFL franchise seeking experienced tackle depth.