Eric Berry is accustomed to attention.
In just two seasons, the Tennessee junior has emerged as the nation's top safety, if not the top defensive player. He is an All-American and has been on plenty of magazine covers.
But when UT recently decided to push him as a Heisman Trophy candidate, Berry was floored.
"It does blow my mind," said Berry, who hails from Fairburn, Ga. "I really didn't expect that. Going through Little League and high school, I was maybe the big kid in my neighborhood and then later in Atlanta, but never throughout the nation."
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Comments » 14
Voluvr writes:
6 voting districts. From the west, 1 The West, 2 The midwest, 3 the Southeast, 4-5 & 6 above the Mason Dixon and east of the Mississippi. Yankee slant? Absolutely. Also, Orange Envy runs deep and wide. Hornung over Majors was the first rip off.
So, Eric don't worry how it turns out. You'll make the most money in the pros anyway. btw, how's the folks job search going? Try Pilot Oil, they're probably hiring!
ThaiVolFan writes:
With another solid year year Eric probably will not win the Heisman, but his campaign will hopefully secure all the top defensive awards that he should have won last year. He might not be THE best in college football but he's definitely in the list. Go Vols and go Eric!
n2thecheckerboards2 writes:
If we had better coaching last year and a TEAM effort, he would have had all those defensive awards as we should have won 8-10 games last year if not for the offense. The defense was on the field for so long each and every game, that they could only do so much. Thank God for a once in a lifetime player like this who made great play after great play during that disaster of a season.
USCJohn1999 writes:
Let's get a grip here. Are you honestly forgetting Tebow? Berry is the best defensive player in the country, but the best overall? C'mon.
USCJohn1999 writes:
Berry for the Heisman? Ok. Let's think about this for a little bit. It's not far fetched for a defensive player to win the Heisman (I know all you Vol fans remember Woodson over Manning). Since Woodson's win there have been 11 winners. Of those winners, 9 have played in BSC bowl games and 7 were in National Championship games (8 if you want to include Woodson's National Championship Game in '97). Tebow in '07 and Williams in '98 were the only ones who didn't play in a BCS bowl game in that span. Now, you're probably asking "What's your point?" The point is WHO CARES ABOUT THE HEISMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Heisman trophy is the most over-rated award in college sports today. Does a team play better if they have a Heisman Trophy winner? Ask Eric Crouch. Upon winning the award in 2001, he and his Nebraska team were destroyed by Miami in the Rose Bowl. How about Tebow? The Gators were upset by a Wolverines team in Orlando whose coach had lost the will to compete anymore. So if you want to parade Berry around as a Heisman hopeful this season remember this.....if he does win, how will he be viewed upon in the annals of UT lore? Will he be the greatest player to ever run through the "T"? Peyton, Majors, and Reggie White never won the Heisman.
smokymtman writes:
Playing at Tennessee is the biggest negative Berry has against him winning the Heisman.
PennVol writes:
USCJohn - I think most Vol fans agree with you as far as being over-rated but it's the one thing missing from UT tradition. I'd love for any Vol player to win it but it wouldn't mean much as far as my opinion of where that player fits in UT history.
VOLinATL writes:
Anyone know where the billboard in Atlanta is located? Between this, and the two Auburn billboards I have seen, the Dawg fans must be fit to be tied!!
volatil writes:
I would rank him right up there with Majors and the Minister , but its different with Manning. Peyton touched the ball every snap on offense its hard to compare a defensive player because of lack of opportunities. He needs to return punts, kicks, and play some at receiver to garner serious attention for this award.
USCJohn1999 writes:
I could not agree with you more Witch Doctor.
reidtownriverrat writes:
if we lose to bama,florida, and ga. crompton will come as close to winning it as berry. ODDS-NATIONAL DEFECEIT TO 1.
volhome writes:
Just play the game as well as you can, Eric, and don't give 'THAT' award (I refuse to even name it anymore) a second thought. You cannot control the press or the voters, the only thing you can do is provide them with reason to pause. That's more than enough, considering 'THAT' award's tainted history.
crimsonviper writes:
No doubt about that WD.He has the heart for the game.
SHAWVOL writes:
Berry is a true team player all the way around he is a very classy guy and a super hard worker but playing for Tenn he wont have a chance and that sucks little timmy terrific all ready has it wrapped up in the voters minds
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