Eric Berry: A Bright Spot on Rocky Top

It has been a while since I have been motivated to write something about the Vols, but one man has given me some great inspiration to break me out of my funk. That man is Eric Berry.

Tennessee may not have scored enough points to get the win at Vanderbilt until Eric Berry took an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to help lead Tennessee to a 20-10 victory.

Berry now leads the nation with seven interceptions on the year and has taken two back for touchdowns. This effort helped make him a finalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.

It is not just the interceptions from Berry, but also his impact when returning those picks.

With 265 career interception return yards this season, Berry is the SEC single-season record holder, a mark held by Florida's Joe Brodsky since 1956.

Berry also passed himself. He had 222 interception return yards last season.

He is sure to break Terrell Buckley's NCAA record of 501 interception return yards. Berry has 12 interceptions for 487 yards in 24 games.  He should also break Tim Priest's Tennessee record of 18 interceptions.

It has been an incredible two seasons for the young defensive back from Fairburn, Georgia.

The son of James Berry, a 1981 Vols captain, four-year letterman, and three-year starter, Eric came to Knoxville with great expectations.

Those expectations were exceeded on one play his freshman year when he picked off eventual Heisman winner Tim Tebow's pass and ran 96 yards for a touchdown.

Berry had one of the best freshman years ever for a Volunteer. He was named SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year by Sporting News, consensus freshman All-America, and freshman All-SEC, and led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles.

He can also lower the lumber.  Just ask Knowshon Moreno.

Berry's heart, determination, and hard hits earned him the respect of his teammates as well, as he was named a captain this year as a sophomore. He has been a huge bright spot on a dismal Tennessee team this season.

He will go down as one of the greatest defensive backs in SEC history, joining the ranks of Tucker Frederickson (Auburn 1962-64), Tommy Casanova (LSU 1969-71), Terry Hoage (Georgia 1980-83), and Antonio Langham (Alabama 1990-93).

While there may be bigger and better games this Saturday, be sure to check out the Tennessee/Kentucky game to watch Fulmer's last game, and to watch Eric Berry play with all the heart and pride of a Volunteer.