University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Jersey Countdown #14
August 17, 2013 | Football
Aug 17, 2013
Eric BerryDefensive Back (2007-09)
In his three years at Tennessee, Eric Berry established himself as one of the best defensive backs in NCAA history, garnering unanimous All-America honors in both his sophomore and junior campaigns before leaving as the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft.
The 2009 Jim Thorpe Award winner, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back, left Rocky Top as the active NCAA leader and second in major college history with 494 interception return yards. He finished his career fifth in UT history with 14 interceptions and tied for sixth in total passes defended with 30.
Berry twice intercepted former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, with both picks coming at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, as he was the first player in Vol history to lead the team in interceptions three straight seasons.
The Fairburn, Ga., native also accumulated 245 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles during his career at UT.
Berry started all 16 games in his first season in the NFL en route to becoming the first Chiefs rookie to be selected to the Pro Bowl since linebacker great Derrick Thomas. In addition to starting every game, Berry was on the field for almost half of Kansas City's special teams plays and was the only Chiefs defender to play every defensive snap, leading the squad in interceptions (4) and finishing second in both tackles (92) and solo tackles(77) behind only Derrick Johnson.
A torn ACL in the first game of the 2011 season forced Berry out for the remainder of the campaign, but he returned to start all 16 games last season. He registered 86 total tackles (73 solo), which ranked second on the Chiefs. Berry, who posted one interception, was the AFC's starting strong safety at the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Justin WorleyQuarterback (2011-13)
David LeakeDefensive End/Quarterback (1963-65)
