UT sends three to see Berry

Tennessee sent three football coaches to visit with the 5-foot-11, 195-pound athlete from Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga., on Sunday. Defensive coordinators John Chavis, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and receivers coach Trooper Taylor each were at Berry’s home to make sure Berry knew just how valuable he could be to UT’s 2007 signing class.

Berry was impressed.

"It was kind of shocking because it was right after their game. I expected them to come this week but not yesterday," Berry said on Monday.

Berry is considered one of the top prospects in the nation and could play a number of positions, including receiver or defensive back.

Berry’s unofficial visit to Knoxville last weekend for the Kentucky game had to make UT’s coaches feel good.

"I just wanted to go back up there," said Berry, who brought along fellow Georgia prospect Morgan Burnett from College Park High School in North Clayton.

Several SEC and ACC schools are recruiting Burnett. UT’s chief competition for Berry is thought to be Ohio State and Georgia.

"It was good," Berry said of his most recent visit. "We just went to go see the game (and) talk to Coach (Phillip) Fulmer."

So should UT fans be excited about the prospects of landing Berry, considering he took a visit to Knoxville on his own dime?

"I guess," he said. "I don’t know."

Berry’s high school team is in the Georgia state quarterfinals this week. He said he wouldn’t announce a decision until National Signing Day in February.

Berry has been selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January. Game officials invited the top 80 prospects in the nation to play.