Awards are nothing new for Eric Berry, but his latest honor earned him a rare distinction in the history of Tennessee football history.
The UT safety became the first two-time unanimous All-American at UT since guard Chip Kell was a consensus selection in 1969 and 1970.
Berry picked up first-team honors from the Associated Press and The Sporting News on Tuesday.
He already held All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The NCAA recognizes those five organizations in determining its unanimous All-America honorees.
Berry also was a unanimous All-American in 2008.
The junior, who is expected to forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft, also won the Jim Thorpe Award for his play this season.
The Thorpe Award goes to the top defensive back in the nation.
Berry finished the 2009 regular season second among the Vols and second among SEC defensive backs with 83 tackles, including six for lost yardage.
He led UT in passes defended with nine, posted two interceptions and returned two fumbles for 48 yards.
With a rebuilding program and a fired coach as a backdrop, three players from colleges in the state of Tennessee made the AP All-American list.
Berry, along with defensive tackle Dan Williams (third team), represented UT, which finished 7-5 in 2009. Former Bearden High standout Matt Reagan of Memphis made the third team as a punter.
Williams registered 65 tackles in 2009, along with 8 1/2 tackles for a loss, including two sacks, nine quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
The SEC led all conferences with 11 AP selections. The Big 12 was second with seven.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 29
vol88 writes:
^^^ must've sprained both wrists ^^^
BamaVol writes:
hollow is right, you also have it on backwards.
Mule_Days_King writes:
I doubt you will ever move out of your parents' house.
huntined#565710 writes:
Great for EB.. He will go down as a TENN GREAT!!
Had a good talk with a real old Gator fan today. he said FLA has too many bandwagon fans he went to school there in LATE fifty's and said he had been to the mall every day this week and he had not seen a Gator hat or shirt the whole week after the loss to BAMA. He said he still has a few friends that were REAL GATORS even back when they didn't win much they were still Gators not like most of their fans today.
516milesfromUT writes:
Eric Berry is the "silent commitment"
Laydbakvol writes:
You should save your energy. You'll need it to vegetate.
mountainbrook writes:
Your troll foo is weak.
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
By your standards, Peyton Manning was a waste of a jersey since he did not beat Flordia in the 4 years he played at UT. (He only played against Florida 3x, but it was your statement). How does he differ from EB since EB did not beat Florida in the 3 years he played? I want to understand your logic.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Eric's stock has dropped just a little bit this season.
I sure would like to see him come back next year. I know that is a selfish thing, but a focused Janzen and Eric would be the most ungodly set of Safety's in the nation. Or would that be the Gods of Safeties??
FWBVol writes:
I don't see how anybody can say Berry's stock dropped this year. The only place his numbers weren't up to last year were in interceptions/int return yards.
I have not seen one mock draft board with the guys that are supposed to be in the know that have EB drafted any later than the third overall pick. Every board has him as the first DB selected.
If any thing, Berry playing in Monte's system will probably help him in the eyes of the NFL guys.
newtonrail writes:
You can't get logic from Rob Ellison, alias Naffy, RobE Vol, etc. You have to have a brain for that.
Volunteer-Varmint writes:
How do you not suffocate with your head so far up there?
1963volfan writes:
Great for you EB. you are a fine outstanding young man. Thank you for representing the university with so much class and sportsmanship.
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
"hollowhead..." that about sums it up.
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
He is one of the greatest. Ever heard of Roland James
Hardrocknox writes:
Yes , Whats your point ?
iowavol writes:
It makes no sense whatsoever for EB to come back. There is nothing to gain except potentially more AA's. The Heisman will go to a team competing for the NC. We will not be in that hunt with a new quarterback and new offensive line. He's not going to improve his draft status over a top 3 pick - DB's just don't get #1 that often. WHile I would love to see him back, it's not realistic or in his best interest.
gnm53108 writes:
Nope.
Bob Suffridge.
But yes,Go VOLS...Beat vt!
Volunatic writes:
Congrats, Eric. We're proud of you!
DC_Vol writes:
Vol Fans,
Hollowhead is either part of GVX or maybe another paper in Florida. Do not reply to his posts, he is not a true fan, just a bored media person trying to enrage posters to respond. He does not believe what he posts, he is just trying to encourage responses. Ignore all his posts!
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I guess that means Tebow will start in the Sugar Bowl… since he doesn’t have much of an NFL career ahead of him. BTW – love how he was praised as a leader for the Heisman all season long, to only see him not even come close. I’m sure you had a hanky just waiting for him and Meyer after the official announcement.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Let’s see… he won the Thorpe, made the All-American team, the All-SEC team, and is a top 5 pick (on average) in the upcoming draft. Yeah… his stock has really plummeted!
Youz ain’t not so bright!
Bigger_Al writes:
Eric is the Man. Remember how he made Mark Ingram fumble with the game on the line?
Here's hoping for a Pick 6 for E in the bowl.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
RobEl is a loper. He and hollowsackvol are NOT Vols.
martinvolfan writes:
The Fresno bee newspaper is reporting Tyler Bray to join the Vols for Chick-fil-A practice.
Bray's legacy
2007 (9-2 record): 1,726 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs
2008 (11-2 record): 2,411 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs
2009 (12-0 record): 3,012 yards, 36 TDs, 11 INTs
Career (32-4 record): 7,149 yards*, 80 TDs, 20 INTs
*Bray's 7,149 passing yards ranks second in section history behind Tulare's Emmanuel Lewis' 8,667 yards from 2003-05. The state record is 11,022 yards by Valencia's Michael Herrick (2003-05)
Source: Cal-Hi Sports
martinvolfan writes:
Here's the link:
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/hs/fo...
Docrok writes:
Actually though his interceptions were down and his return yards were down his draft stock is actually higher due to his play this year! Last year there were questions by scouts about how Berry plays. Was he just a centerfielder or could he make plays to stop the run too! Playing under Monte has Berry regarded as the top DB in the Draft and one of the most versatile! SO NO Berry's stock is not down! Probably just wishful thinking on your part that he would return!
koamalina writes:
Emmanuel Lewis! You mean that little Webster dude!?!
Sorry, I couldn't resist. LOL
WLafIndianavol writes:
Why risk reading your moronic posts since you are more full of phooey than a Christmas goose!
Go South; Bammer fool!
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