Malik Herring Bio
Al’Malik Demichia Herring is an American professional football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and entered the league in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 125 kilograms, he has contributed to two championship defenses and is a respected member of the Kansas City defensive line rotation.
Herring is notable for winning two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and has established himself as a key role player on the defensive front. After beginning his career on injured reserve, he worked his way onto the active roster and became a dependable rotational piece during the team’s championship runs.
Early Life and Background
Al’Malik Demichia Herring was born on November 9, 1997, in Forsyth, Georgia. He grew up in the same community and attended Mary Persons High School, where he developed into a highly regarded prospect on the defensive line. His size, athleticism, and motor helped him attract attention from college recruiters across the country.
Following his senior season at Mary Persons, Herring emerged as a four-star recruit and received scholarship offers from more than twenty college programs. He chose to attend the University of Georgia, joining a Southeastern Conference program with a strong tradition of producing NFL defensive linemen. His decision to remain in his home state positioned him to develop within a familiar environment while competing at a high level.
Path to American Football
Herring arrived at Georgia in 2016 and joined a defensive line room known for its physical play and depth. As a freshman in 2017, he appeared in all 15 games, recording seven total tackles while adjusting to the speed of the college game. The experience gave him a foundation to build on in subsequent seasons.
In his sophomore year, Herring played in 14 games and tallied 24 tackles along with two assisted sacks, showing flashes of the disruption he could create at the line of scrimmage. As a junior, he appeared in 12 of 14 games, made nine starts, and earned Georgia’s Defensive Most Improved Player Award, signaling his growth into a reliable contributor. He then started eight of ten games as a senior, finishing the campaign with 20 tackles and helping anchor the Bulldogs’ defensive front.
Malik Herring Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Herring signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list at the start of his rookie season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered during practices for the Senior Bowl. The injury delayed his professional debut but did not derail his trajectory within the organization.
Herring made the Chiefs’ final roster in 2022, earning the role of the team’s sixth defensive end. He made his NFL debut in week three of that season, recording two tackles in a 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Later that year, he was part of the Chiefs’ roster that won Super Bowl LVII with a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Herring’s role expanded during the 2023 season as he continued to grow within the defensive line rotation. He finished the year with 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass defensed, contributing in multiple phases of the game. His versatility and reliability made him a valued piece of Kansas City’s depth chart.
The Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2023 campaign, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII. Herring recorded one tackle in the victory, becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion in only his second full active season. The performance capped a steady climb from injury reserve to a championship contributor.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024-Present)
On March 11, 2024, Herring re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, continuing his tenure with the franchise. The new deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his development and his fit within the defensive scheme. He remained part of the defensive end rotation as the Chiefs pursued another deep postseason run.
On October 29, 2025, the Chiefs released Herring, though he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad on November 4, 2025. The brief transition off the active roster did not end his relationship with Kansas City, and he continued to be part of the club’s plans along the defensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Herring is known for his physicality at the point of attack and his ability to hold up against the run. His size and length allow him to occupy blockers and create lanes for teammates, while his quick first step gives him the capacity to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Coaches have valued his work ethic and his willingness to contribute on special teams and in rotational roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herring’s most notable milestones include winning Super Bowl LVII after the 2022 season and Super Bowl LVIII after the 2023 season, both with the Kansas City Chiefs. His recovery from a torn ACL to become a two-time champion stands as a defining arc of his early professional career. He also earned Georgia’s Defensive Most Improved Player Award during his junior year, an early sign of the work ethic that has carried into the NFL.
Malik Herring Career Wins
Malik Herring has accumulated championship success at the highest level of professional football. While his individual statistical totals reflect a rotational role, his two Super Bowl rings place him among the decorated members of the recent Kansas City Chiefs defenses. His contributions have been steady rather than headline-grabbing, and his value has been measured in reliability and depth.
Kansas City Chiefs Highlights
Herring has recorded multiple seasons with the Chiefs, contributing tackles, sacks, and disruptive plays from the defensive end position. His first NFL season on the active roster was 2022, when he debuted in week three and went on to win Super Bowl LVII. He added a second Super Bowl ring the following year with a victory in Super Bowl LVIII.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Herring contributed to a Georgia Bulldogs program that consistently competed for Southeastern Conference titles. His four-year development in Athens, including the Defensive Most Improved Player Award, marked him as a prospect with growth potential. He was also a four-star high school recruit at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Georgia.
Malik Herring Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Malik Herring was raised in Forsyth, Georgia, where he attended Mary Persons High School. Public details about his parents and immediate family are limited, and the information available focuses on his hometown roots and the supportive environment that helped him pursue a football career.
Personal Life
Herring is a native of Forsyth, Georgia, and has spent his professional career in the Midwest with the Kansas City Chiefs. He maintains a public presence through his Instagram account, where he shares updates related to his football career. Verified details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Herring’s 2025 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs included a midseason shift in his roster status. After remaining with the team following his 2024 re-signing, he was released on October 29, 2025, as the Chiefs adjusted their roster. The move reflected the constant turnover along NFL defensive lines rather than a long-term shift in his standing with the organization.
On November 4, 2025, Herring was re-signed by the Chiefs to their practice squad, allowing him to remain within the organization. Practice squad players in the NFL often receive opportunities to return to the active roster, and Herring’s experience and prior production made him a logical candidate to remain in Kansas City’s system. His familiarity with the defensive scheme and coaching staff has continued to play a role in his value to the team.
Looking ahead, Herring’s path back to the active roster depends on injuries, performance in practice, and the team’s postseason needs. Given his track record of two Super Bowl wins and his development since his 2021 ACL recovery, he remains a candidate to contribute in the rotation if given the opportunity. The remainder of the 2025 season will determine whether he closes the year on the active roster or continues to develop on the practice squad.