Tre Herndon Bio
Willie “Tre” Herndon III (born March 5, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback who has spent time with multiple National Football League franchises since going undrafted out of college. After playing his collegiate ball in the Southeastern Conference, Herndon carved out a role as a depth defender who eventually became a starter, demonstrating the patience and preparation common to late-blooming NFL players. Over the course of his career, he has been associated with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills.
Known for his length, physicality, and willingness to contribute on special teams, Herndon has continued to compete for roster spots well into his seventh professional season. His academic background in sociology, combined with years of grinding on NFL practice squads and training camp rosters, marks him as a player who has leaned on preparation and football intelligence to extend his career.
Early Life and Background
Willie “Tre” Herndon III 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. He grew up alongside a sister, in a household that valued both education and athletics, and his family later moved to the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area during his youth.
Herndon attended East Hamilton High School in Ooltewah, Tennessee, a suburb of Chattanooga, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. He became the first football player from East Hamilton High School to receive a scholarship offer from a Southeastern Conference school, a milestone that underscored his early standing as a collegiate prospect. Rated as a 3-star recruit, Herndon committed to Vanderbilt University to play college football in 2013.
Path to American Football
After committing to Vanderbilt, Herndon joined a program in the Southeastern Conference that asked its defensive backs to compete against top-tier passing attacks week after week. He enrolled in 2013 and played his first collegiate season in 2014, working primarily as a developmental cornerback while adjusting to the speed of the college game. His progression through the depth chart was steady rather than meteoric, and he earned more responsibility each season as he gained experience in the Commodores’ defensive scheme.
During his time at Vanderbilt, Herndon earned a degree in sociology, balancing the demands of SEC football with a notable academic workload. The combination of a strong conference schedule and a sociology degree shaped his perspective on the professional game, giving him both the technical foundation and the analytical tools to pursue an NFL career after his senior season.
Tre Herndon Career
College Career (2014–2017)
Herndon played at Vanderbilt University from 2014 to 2017, appearing in games at cornerback across four seasons in the Southeastern Conference. After his senior season in 2017, he entered the 2018 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, hoping his experience in a pass-heavy conference would translate to the next level.
Over the course of his college career, Herndon recorded 122 tackles (2.5 for loss), two interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Those numbers reflected a cornerback who contributed against both the run and the pass, and they helped him earn an opportunity to sign with an NFL team shortly after the draft concluded.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2018–2023)
On April 30, 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Herndon to a three-year, $1.71 million contract that included $17,700 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5,000. He entered training camp competing for a roster spot as a backup cornerback alongside Dee Delaney, Dexter McDougle, Quenton Meeks, Jalen Myrick, and Sammy Seamster. He ultimately earned the fifth and final cornerback spot on the roster, beating out Jalen Myrick and serving as the fifth backup behind Jalen Ramsey, A. J. Bouye, D. J. Hayden, and Tyler Patmon under head coach Doug Marrone.
Herndon’s role expanded significantly in 2019 after the Jaguars traded their starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. He had already been filling in while Ramsey dealt with a reported back injury, and the trade allowed Herndon to step into a starting role. In Week 8 against the New York Jets, he intercepted quarterback Sam Darnold twice in a 29–15 win, a performance that announced his arrival as a playmaker in the Jaguars’ secondary.
His tenure in Jacksonville continued with additional milestones. In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Houston Texans, Herndon recorded his first career sack on Deshaun Watson during a 27–25 loss. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 16, 2020, and activated three days later. Herndon signed a contract extension with the Jaguars on March 12, 2021, and re-signed with the team on March 17, 2022, and again on March 18, 2023.
New York Giants Era (2024)
On June 12, 2024, Herndon signed with the New York Giants, adding veteran cornerback depth to a secondary in transition. His time with the organization was brief, however, as he was released on August 27, 2024, before the start of the regular season. The stint, though short, reflected continued interest from NFL teams in his experience and special teams ability.
New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts (2024–2025)
On October 29, 2024, Herndon was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, giving him a chance to continue his development within a veteran defensive system. He remained with the Saints’ practice squad as he worked to return to a full active roster role.
On July 31, 2025, Herndon signed with the Indianapolis Colts, returning to an active roster in pursuit of a depth cornerback spot. He was released by the Colts on August 9, 2025, and on August 12, 2025, signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was released by the Bills on August 24, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Herndon has built his career on physical cornerback play, reliable tackling in run support, and a willingness to contribute on special teams when his number is called. He has shown the ability to read routes, challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage, and create turnovers in zone coverage, highlighted by his two-interception performance against the New York Jets in 2019.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Herndon’s career are his two interceptions of Sam Darnold in Week 8 of the 2019 season and his first career sack on Deshaun Watson in Week 9 of the 2020 season. Becoming the first football player from East Hamilton High School to receive a scholarship from a Southeastern Conference school also stands out as a meaningful milestone in his football journey.
Tre Herndon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Herndon is the son of Willie Herndon, Jr., and Sabrina Herndon, both of whom work at Unum. He also has a sister, and the family has been a steady presence throughout his football career.
Personal Life
Herndon is a practicing Muslim, a faith he has spoken about publicly during his NFL career. He majored in sociology at Vanderbilt University, an academic path that reflects an interest in the broader social dynamics of sport and community. He has not publicly shared details of a long-term partner or children.
2025 Season Performance
Herndon’s 2025 campaign has been defined by movement between organizations as he seeks a stable roster home. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31, 2025, and was released on August 9, before quickly catching on with the Buffalo Bills on August 12, 2025. He was released by the Bills on August 24, 2025, ending his most recent training camp push.
Across the 2025 offseason, Herndon has continued to work as a depth cornerback and special teams contributor, leaning on the veteran experience he gained during his years as a starter in Jacksonville. Each stop has given him a fresh opportunity to compete, and his movement through the league reflects the depth and volatility of the cornerback market for established reserves.
Looking ahead, Herndon’s priority is to latch on with an organization where he can contribute both on defense and on special teams, while extending his NFL career into an eighth professional season. His blend of size, experience, and SEC background should keep him firmly in the conversation for practice squad or active-roster opportunities as the 2025 season progresses.