Berry is like ‘an upperclassman’

If Tennessee freshman cornerback Eric Berry starts against California on Saturday, he might be the only Vol nervous about being inserted into such a precarious position.

Publicly at least, the Vols have no reservations about starting Berry, despite the fact that the road game is UT’s season opener and the opponent relies on a passing offense with one of the nation’s best receivers.

“Eric is different,” defensive backs coach Larry Slade said Tuesday. “He’s one of those guys that’s like an upperclassman.”

As for now, Berry is listed at second string, behind senior left cornerback Antonio Gaines. Berry, however, has pushed Gaines and sophomore right cornerback Marsalous Johnson during preseason camp.

Start or not, Berry figures to play early and often. And it may only be a matter of time until he takes over one of the two cornerback positions — if he hasn’t already.

“He’s a ball player so I don’t have to worry about it,” senior safety Jonathan Hefney said. “I tell him I got his back so he’ll pretty much be all right.”

He’d better be, especially if he’s playing on the defense’s left side, where Cal junior receiver DeSean Jackson — a Heisman Trophy hopeful — figures to line up.

This may be a good game for UT to have smaller, quicker cornerbacks, as is the case with Gaines and Johnson, each 5-foot-9.

“He’s quick,” Johnson said of Jackson. “He’s light. He’s a great competitor.”

Or, maybe it’s better to have a quick, big cornerback like Berry, who is 5-11.

“Ideally, you’d like Eric Berrys, with that kind of size, but certainly having Marsalous and Antonio, it helps you playing against a guy like him,” Slade said, referring to Jack-son.

Florida Flashback: Slade said Jackson reminds him of a bigger version of former Florida Gator star receiver Jabar Gaffney

Wow,” Slade said when asked to describe Jackson. “He’s exciting. He’s explosive as heck … playmaker … great speed and quickness.”

Slade went on to describe Jackson as extraordinarily quick and fearless.

Caretaking Kurt: There’s plenty of buzz about sophomore running back Montario Hardesty, who looks fresh following a fall camp in which coaches limited his participation because of a sore hamstring.

“He’s an explosive, physical human being and it’s showing,” running backs coach Kurt Roper said.

Hardesty looked like such a tailback last season against Cal when he ripped off a 43-yard run, breaking a handful of tackles on his way to the end zone.

“It’s a fun run to watch,” Roper said.

Roper said UT’s coaches feel like they have two starters at tailback: Hardesty and junior Arian Foster. Surely, the competition will figure heavily on Hardesty’s health, which has been questionable in the past.

“Hopefully,” Roper said, “you’ll see a fresh Montario that feels really good in his lower body.”

Said Hardesty, “I’m ready to go out and play.”

Injury Report; Defensive end Xavier Mitchell was wearing a brace on his right wrist during media interviews. The senior said he was only wearing the protective device for precautionary reasons.

Mitchell began preseason camp with a cast on the wrist after suffering a sprain this summer.

Junior punter Britton Colquitt remains limited with a sore quadriceps muscle.

Practice Report: UT practiced indoors to simulate Cal’s home field, which is also sports turf.