Eric Berry

Infobox NCAA Athlete
color = Orange
fontcolor = White
name = Eric Berry

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caption =
college = Tennessee
conference = SEC
sport = Football
jersey = 14
position = DB
class = Sophomore
major = Pre-Dental
minor =
nickname =
career_start = 2007
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11.5
weight_lb = 210
nationality = flag|United States
birth_date = birth date and age|1988|12|29
birth_place = Fairburn, Georgia
death_date =
death_place =
highschool = Creekside High School
career_highlights =
awards =
honors = 2006 Gatorade High School PoY - Georgia
2007 Defensive Freshman of the Year (Collegefootballnews.com)
2007 1st Team Freshman All-American (Rivals, Collegefootballnews.com, FWAA)
2007 SEC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year ("Sporting News")
2007 All-SEC 2nd Team (Coaches, AP)
2007 SEC Freshman of the Week (Nov. 10 and 24)
2007 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll
2008 All-SEC 1st Team Pre-Season (Coaches)
2008 All-American Pre-Season (Fox Sports)
records =
championships =
championship_list =
bowl_games =
bowl_list =
tournaments =
tournament_list =

James Eric "The Fifth Dimension" Berry (born December 29, 1988 in Fairburn, Georgia) is an American football defensive back currently playing for the Tennessee Volunteers. A true freshman for the 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team, Berry made his first appearance at nickleback against California before being named as starting safety in the following game against Southern Miss.cite news | title=Williams Rewarded with First Start| publisher="Knoxville News Sentinel" | date=6 September 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07 | author=Mike Strange | http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/sep/06/weightwatchers-gain/] Eric Berry was named the SEC Freshmen Defensive Player of the Year and was a Unanimous Freshmen All-American.

Personal

Berry is the son of James Berry, a captain on the 1981 Tennessee team. Nephew to Beverly Berry of Carrollton, Ga. and older brother to Even and Elliot Berry.

High school career

Berry played at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia. There he was a standout in both track and football. In track, Berry was the anchor leg of the 2006 AAAA State Champion 4x400m relay team. Individually, he was the 2005 AAAA State Champion in the 200m. Berry played cornerback and quarterback, earning a 37-5 record as starting quarterback at Creekside.cite news | title=Eric Berry #14| publisher=UTSports.com | date=7 September 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07 | author=UT Sports Information | http://www.utsports.com/football/playerbio.aspx?id=31426] Following his stellar high school career, Berry was invited to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Berry was considered the top player in Georgia and the top Defensive Back/Corner by every recruiting service, Berry was rated as the #3 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com.cite news | title=Eric Berry #14| publisher=UTSports.com | date=7 September 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07 | author=UT Sports Information | http://www.utsports.com/football/playerbio.aspx?id=31426]

College career

Freshman season: 2007

Berry made his first appearance at nickelback against California before being named as starting safety in the following game against Southern Miss.cite news | title=Williams Rewarded with First Start| publisher="Knoxville News Sentinel" | date=6 September 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07 | author=Mike Strange | http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/sep/06/weightwatchers-gain/] Berry replaced fifth year senior Jarod Parrish after a strong showing in the California game.cite news | title=Williams Rewarded with First Start| publisher="Knoxville News Sentinel" | date=6 September 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07 | author=Mike Strange | http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/sep/06/weightwatchers-gain/] Berry turned in several big plays during his freshman season en route to being named the SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year by the "Sporting News".cite news | title=UT's Berry, Lincoln earn freshman honors| publisher="The Tennessean" | date=29 November 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-29 | author=Bryan Mullen | http://www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071128/SPORTS0601/71128077] Berry had 5 interceptions along with a school-record 222 return yards. His return yardage broke a 37-year-old Tennessee record and already ranks third in SEC history. Berry led all SEC freshmen in tackles with 86. He twice was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his play over the regular season’s final three games.cite news | title=Berry SEC Def. Frosh of Year, Lincoln top kicker| publisher=UTSports.com | date=29 November 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-29 | author=UT Sports Information | http://www.utsports.com/football/article.aspx?id=45154] Berry was also named 1st team Freshman All-American by Rivals. cite news | title=Berry Named Freshman A-A; Lincoln 2nd Team| publisher=UTSports.com | date=29 November 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-29 | author=UT Sports Information | http://www.utsports.com/football/article.aspx?id=45062]

External links

* [http://www.utsports.com/football/playerbio.aspx?id=31426 Eric Berry Player Bio on UTSports.com]
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References