and there are a lot of options at tackle. In other words, guard is a greater position of need for the team and that's why Herring is playing there. Barrington has locked down one guard position, so the coaches will have to decide how to fill in the best player at each of the open positions. It could go either way with Herring.
Longson hasn't been able to stay healthy, but I'd put him at 50/50 about coming back. The lure would be he gets to compete for the starting role one of the open spots. He probably wouldn't come back if the coaches told him in advance that he's a backup at best.