Atlanta Journal & Constitution article on Eric Berry.
Creekside's Berry may lend Vols offense a hand
By TONY BARNHART
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/20/08
Knoxville Tennessee's Eric Berry has big dreams.
A former high school All-American from Fairburn, Berry has visions of a tight, hard-fought SEC game in which he intercepts a pass to give the offense great field position. Then he sneaks back onto the field at quarterback and runs for the winning touchdown.
"In high school I touched the ball on every play," Berry said. "Now I would like to touch it a little more in college to see what I can do."
That opportunity did not come in Saturday's Orange and White spring game because Berry stuck to his safety position, where he was a freshman All-American in 2007. His 25-yard interception return in the second quarter did set up a touchdown for the White team, which rolled to a 38-16 victory before 28,898 at Neyland Stadium.
But if a few things fall into place, Berry is expected to get that two-way chance when Tennessee opens the 2008 season on Sept. 1 at UCLA.
In the last week of spring practice, coach Phillip Fulmer kept a promise that he made when he was recruiting Berry, who was 35-7 as the starting quarterback at Creekside High School. On Tuesday Berry lined up at quarterback for four snaps.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep the dream alive.
"It was fun," Berry said. "I am totally committed to the defense because we want to be the best in the SEC. But if I can help the offense I'd like to give it a shot."
Fulmer, not known to be a big risk-taker on offense, said a package of plays using Berry and wide receiver Gerald Jones at quarterback is just an ongoing effort to give Tennessee's best players opportunities to make things happen.
"Eric is a wonderful athlete and has already proven what he could do if he got his hands on the ball," Fulmer said. "At this point we're not sure how much he'll be over there, but it's something that we're going to think about."
Berry showed glimpses of how he could contribute to the offense last season when he returned five interceptions for 222 yards, the second-highest season total in SEC history.
"I just want to be ready in case my number is called," Berry said. "I just think there is going to be a chance to make some plays in this offense."
When new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson was asked about the possibility of getting Berry for a few plays each game, his eyes lit up.
"He's just special," said Clawson, the former head coach at Richmond. "We have to create a limited package of plays for him, and it has to be where we have some depth so that we don't hurt the team. But athletically, he can help us on offense. There is no question about that."
The thing that could keep Berry away from the offense is that Tennessee does not want to jeopardize what could be the best secondary in the SEC this fall.
With the return of fellow safety Demetrice Morley, who sat out last season with academic issues, what was a weakness on the 2007 Tennessee team could be a strength in 2008.
In fact, Berry and Morley have decided that this secondary is good enough to break the school record of 36 interceptions in a season set in 1970.
"We're only going to get better," Berry said. "We're all pushing each other. We think we have a chance to be pretty good."
The Tennessee record for interceptions in a career is 18 set by Tim Priest (1968-70). With five as a freshman in 2007, Berry is well on his way to that record.
"He is a difference maker," Fulmer said. "He's the kind of player you need to win in this league."
Creekside's Berry may lend Vols offense a hand
By TONY BARNHART
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/20/08
Knoxville Tennessee's Eric Berry has big dreams.
A former high school All-American from Fairburn, Berry has visions of a tight, hard-fought SEC game in which he intercepts a pass to give the offense great field position. Then he sneaks back onto the field at quarterback and runs for the winning touchdown.
"In high school I touched the ball on every play," Berry said. "Now I would like to touch it a little more in college to see what I can do."
That opportunity did not come in Saturday's Orange and White spring game because Berry stuck to his safety position, where he was a freshman All-American in 2007. His 25-yard interception return in the second quarter did set up a touchdown for the White team, which rolled to a 38-16 victory before 28,898 at Neyland Stadium.
But if a few things fall into place, Berry is expected to get that two-way chance when Tennessee opens the 2008 season on Sept. 1 at UCLA.
In the last week of spring practice, coach Phillip Fulmer kept a promise that he made when he was recruiting Berry, who was 35-7 as the starting quarterback at Creekside High School. On Tuesday Berry lined up at quarterback for four snaps.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep the dream alive.
"It was fun," Berry said. "I am totally committed to the defense because we want to be the best in the SEC. But if I can help the offense I'd like to give it a shot."
Fulmer, not known to be a big risk-taker on offense, said a package of plays using Berry and wide receiver Gerald Jones at quarterback is just an ongoing effort to give Tennessee's best players opportunities to make things happen.
"Eric is a wonderful athlete and has already proven what he could do if he got his hands on the ball," Fulmer said. "At this point we're not sure how much he'll be over there, but it's something that we're going to think about."
Berry showed glimpses of how he could contribute to the offense last season when he returned five interceptions for 222 yards, the second-highest season total in SEC history.
"I just want to be ready in case my number is called," Berry said. "I just think there is going to be a chance to make some plays in this offense."
When new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson was asked about the possibility of getting Berry for a few plays each game, his eyes lit up.
"He's just special," said Clawson, the former head coach at Richmond. "We have to create a limited package of plays for him, and it has to be where we have some depth so that we don't hurt the team. But athletically, he can help us on offense. There is no question about that."
The thing that could keep Berry away from the offense is that Tennessee does not want to jeopardize what could be the best secondary in the SEC this fall.
With the return of fellow safety Demetrice Morley, who sat out last season with academic issues, what was a weakness on the 2007 Tennessee team could be a strength in 2008.
In fact, Berry and Morley have decided that this secondary is good enough to break the school record of 36 interceptions in a season set in 1970.
"We're only going to get better," Berry said. "We're all pushing each other. We think we have a chance to be pretty good."
The Tennessee record for interceptions in a career is 18 set by Tim Priest (1968-70). With five as a freshman in 2007, Berry is well on his way to that record.
"He is a difference maker," Fulmer said. "He's the kind of player you need to win in this league."
Would it be against NCAA rules to see if we can get an early commitment out of the twins? :question:
