The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

03.02.10 - "I feel like I'm the best player in the draft because I bring a lot to the table," said Berry at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "I can do pretty much anything the coaches ask me to. I can play free or strong, or nickel corner. You don't have to bring in the nickel package for me because I can cover the slot. I had 14 interceptions in three years, three [returns for] TDs and almost broke the NCAA record for return yards after interceptions. I was only seven yards away from that." – Cleveland Plain Dealer

01.01.10 - It was one of college football’s worst kept secrets as Tennessee safety Eric Berry announced after the Vols’ bowl loss to Virginia Tech last night that he will be entering the 2010 draft where he is expected to be a top 5 pick. “I chose to go ahead and enter the draft this following the year,” Berry said. “I really did go over every possible situation, scenario that I could, went over it with coach (Lane Kiffin), went over it with my parents, and you know coach just told me this would probably be the best thing for me to do is enter the draft.

12.31.09 - NFL scouts are drooling over Berry’s playmaking ability. He has great instincts, as evidenced by his collection of interceptions, and he’s one of the hardest hitters in all of college football. “That is something I do take a lot of pride in, not only making big hits, but just going all out. The way I hit represents how I play, that’s hard every play,” Berry said. “If I’m going to tackle somebody, I’m not going to hold anything back. Give it everything I’ve got.” – The News & Advance

12.29.09 - FOX Sports football analyst Charles Davis, a former Tennessee defensive back himself, has kept an eye on Berry. Davis said Berry is not only unquestionably an NFL-caliber player – “he was last year” -- but he could even play cornerback at the next level and start immediately. “When you try to identify NFL talent ... you decide from many reasons why to like a player – intelligence, football IQ, speed, athleticism, ability, all those types of things you may be drawn to," Davis said. "Whatever it is that you like, he fits the bill. However you evaluate him, I can put it all together with him.” One person with an experienced NFL eye has been watching Berry up close all season long. Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin spent 26 seasons as an assistant coach, including 13 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator, before joining his son’s staff in Knoxville. Monte Kiffin calls Berry a “quarterback on the field.” – Atlanta Journal Constitution

12.29.09 - After delaying an announcement last week until after playing the Hokies (9-3), Berry again deflected most every question about his status and wouldn't address specific issues influencing his decision. And then his own coach pumped him up as the perfect target for NFL teams. "Eric has played man-to-man coverage, we've blitzed him, he's played back in the middle, he's played halves, he's played down, so to be able to do all those things and then also play on our special teams as many snaps as he has, he's created a lot of draft value for himself," Kiffin said. "I think as people look at him, when you evaluate safeties a lot of times, the majority of safeties can only play one spot. They can only play free or strong because of how they're set up. "He's very unique because he can play free, he can play strong or he can play nickel corner, so I would think he would go extremely high - whenever he leaves." – GoVolsXtra.com

12.11.09 - Tennessee safety Eric Berry says he's "leaning" toward turning pro. Although Berry is still waiting to meet with head coach Lane Kiffin to discuss his future as a Vol, Berry told Sports Overtime that the NFL is more of an option next year than returning for his senior season. "Right now I'm kinda leaning toward leaving, but I want to make sure I get other opinions about it," Berry said after Friday's practice. Berry said he's has turned to former Vols to get more insight. He's already talked to Jerod Mayo and Jason Allen about the decision. Thursday night in Orlando, Berry was the recipient of this year's Jim Thorpe Award, handed out annually to the nation's top defensive back. If Berry does enter the NFL draft, he's expected to be selected within the first five picks. – Volunteertv.com

11.20.09 - UT coach Lane Kiffin publicly gave Berry permission to take part in Senior Night celebrations if he wanted, and though he has occasionally joked about having him back next year, there haven't been any real conversations about it. "It is a very tough decision to make, and it's just so hard because you know if you stay in school you can go ahead and get that degree out of the way, you've got all these fans that love you," Berry said. "We've got all these NFL coaches on our team and they always tell us that on the next level it's not going to be the same. You're not going to have the fans like this, you're not going to have support like this. That's always in the back of my mind at times. But I know my family situation, I know what they're going through, and it's really hard to figure out what you want to do." The situation at home coupled with his stock as one of the most talented players in the country has long made the decision to go pro seem like a foregone conclusion, though Berry has gone out of his way to keep the attention only on the Vols (5-5, 2-4 SEC) and this season. – Knoxville News Sentinel

2009 Preseason - Tennessee safety Eric Berry is a terrific player or, quite simply, the complete package at free safety. The physical playmaker is a ball-hawk with amazing closing speed and the ability to read plays. He has a knack of positioning himself in the right spot to create turnovers. Berry is the first player Volunteer to be promoted for the Heisman Trophy Award since Peyton Manning in 1997 and has often been compared to Ed Reed by pro scouts. He's got great vision, outstanding anticipatory skills, speed, power, and when the ball is heading toward him, it's Berry who has the greatest chance of making something happen, not the opposing receiver. He's a first-round selection and potential top ten overall pick. "Eric is such a great leader and it's hard to remember, I think for all of us, that he just finished his sophomore year," said Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin. "You feel like he's a five-year NFL vet or something because he's so professional about the way he goes about his business on and off the field so we're very happy for him."