Eric Berry Following In Peyton Manning's Footsteps...Almost

Eric Berry is the most talented Tennessee football player since Peyton Manning, so a comparison between the two is inevitable.

The two share similar backgrounds, in that they grew up in southern football families. Berry's father James was a running back at UT, and his two younger brothers seem destined to follow in the family business.

The men of the Manning family have a similar, well-documented history, one that doesn't need to be repeated here. Of course, both were also highly recruited high school players.

Manning became a starter his first season due to multiple injuries at his position, and Berry became a starter as a freshman due to sheer talent.

As starting QB, Manning became the team leader early in his career, while Berry was voted team captain by his teammates before his sophomore year.

Manning never beat Florida, and Berry seems destined for the same fate. Both had to watch the Gators win a national championship, and both players backed into the SEC championship game after losing to Florida (Manning won.)

Manning rewrote UT's offensive records and set the standard for future UT quarterbacks, and Berry is doing the same at the safety position.

Both garnered national recognition and were cheated out of national awards. Both players are respected and loved by the Tennessee faithful.

However, the similarity stops there. Manning won a lot more games because he was surrounded by much more talent, enough talent to convince Manning to stay for his senior season and make one last run at a national championship.

Eric Berry will not return for his senior season.