Tre Herndon Bio
Willie “Tre” Herndon III (born March 5, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 185 pounds, Herndon has carved out a steady NFL career as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt University. Over the years he has suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills, building a reputation as a reliable reserve defender.
Known for his agility and discipline on the field, Herndon earned a starting role with the Jaguars in 2019 and has continued to pursue his passion in the NFL through a string of practice squad and reserve contracts. His academic background in sociology, combined with his athletic résumé, marks him as a thoughtful and well-rounded professional.
Early Life and Background
Tre Herndon was born on March 5, 1996, in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of Willie Herndon Jr. and Sabrina Herndon, both of whom work at Unum. Herndon grew up with a sister, and the family later settled in the Chattanooga suburb of Ooltewah, Tennessee, where he attended East Hamilton High School.
At East Hamilton, Herndon emerged as a 3-star recruit and drew the attention of several college programs. He became the first football player from East Hamilton High School to receive a scholarship from a Southeastern Conference school, a milestone that underlined his standing as a prospect. His parents’ steady support and the disciplined environment of his upbringing helped shape his focus on academics and athletics alike.
Path to the NFL
Herndon committed to Vanderbilt University in 2013 and went on to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores from 2014 to 2017. During his college career he posted 122 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 20 pass break-ups, and one forced fumble. Those numbers, along with his consistent coverage skills, helped him earn consideration from NFL scouts heading into his senior year.
After the 2017 season, Herndon declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. He went undrafted but quickly found an opportunity, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent on April 30, 2018. The deal was a three-year contract worth $1.71 million, including $17,700 guaranteed and a $5,000 signing bonus, giving him the platform he needed to begin his professional career.
Tre Herndon Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Herndon entered his first NFL training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars competing for a backup cornerback role against Dee Delaney, Dexter McDougle, Quenton Meeks, Jalen Myrick, and Sammy Seamster. He earned the fifth and final cornerback spot on the roster, working behind Jalen Ramsey, A. J. Bouye, D. J. Hayden, and Tyler Patmon under head coach Doug Marrone.
His role expanded in 2019 after the Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams, and Herndon was promoted into a starting cornerback role. Earlier that season, while Ramsey was sidelined, he had already stepped into the starting lineup, a sign of the trust the coaching staff placed in him.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2019–2023)
In Week 8 of the 2019 season, Herndon intercepted New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold twice in a 29–15 Jacksonville win, providing the signature moment of his early career. The performance confirmed his ball skills and helped cement his value as a starting-caliber corner.
In Week 9 of the 2020 season, Herndon recorded his first career sack, taking down Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson during a narrow 27–25 loss. He later dealt with a brief stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020 before being activated three days later.
Herndon continued to be a steady contributor for the Jaguars, signing a contract extension on March 12, 2021, and re-signing with the club on March 17, 2022, and again on March 18, 2023. Across his six seasons in Jacksonville he appeared in regular and reserve roles, finishing his Jaguars tenure as one of the longest-tenured undrafted cornerbacks in the team’s recent history.
Recent Teams (2024–2025)
On June 12, 2024, Herndon signed with the New York Giants but was released on August 27 as teams finalized their rosters. Shortly after, on October 29, 2024, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, providing him another opportunity to contribute.
In 2025, Herndon signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31 before being released on August 9. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills on August 12, 2025, and was released on August 24. As of the 2025 league year, Herndon remains a free agent, continuing to pursue his next opportunity in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Herndon’s career, his two-interception performance against Sam Darnold in 2019 stands out as his first signature game at the NFL level. He also reached a personal milestone when he recorded his first career sack against Deshaun Watson in 2020, showing his willingness to contribute in run support. Becoming the first SEC scholarship player from East Hamilton High School rounds out a notable list of accomplishments that frame his path from Chattanooga to the professional ranks.
Tre Herndon Career Stats
Through the 2025 NFL season, Tre Herndon has accumulated 243 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 32 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions. At the college level with the Vanderbilt Commodores from 2014 to 2017, he recorded 122 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 20 pass break-ups, and 1 forced fumble.
Tre Herndon Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Herndon is the son of Willie Herndon Jr. and Sabrina Herndon, both of whom work at Unum. He grew up alongside a sister in the Chattanooga suburb of Ooltewah, Tennessee, where the family built the foundation that supported his athletic development.
Personal Life
Herndon majored in Sociology during his time at Vanderbilt University, reflecting a commitment to academics alongside his football career. He is a practicing Muslim. While he has kept much of his personal life private, his journey from East Hamilton High School to the NFL reflects the values of discipline and perseverance instilled by his family.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 league year has been a period of transition for Tre Herndon. After signing with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31, 2025, he was released on August 9 as the team shaped its final roster heading into the regular season. He quickly caught on with the Buffalo Bills on August 12, 2025, adding veteran cornerback depth to their defensive backfield during the preseason.
Herndon’s stint with the Bills concluded on August 24, when he was released as Buffalo trimmed its roster. Despite the turnover, he remained active throughout training camp and continued to showcase the coverage and tackling skills that have defined his career.
Looking ahead, Herndon is once again a free agent and remains a serviceable cornerback capable of stepping into reserve or practice squad roles. His experience across multiple organizations, including the Jaguars, Giants, Saints, Colts, and Bills, makes him a dependable depth option for teams seeking veteran help in the secondary.