’14 GA DB Evan Berry (UT Signee 2/5/14)

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#2,553
#2,553
jave36 said:
Sutton and Berry would be great. I like Moseley, but I'd love to see a Berry in the headlines again.

He came in at 195 so even if he stays there, very few WR could push him around easily.
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I don't really care who it is, but whoever wins the CB spot opposite Cam is going to be a really good one with all the competition we have now.
 
#2,557
#2,557
In honor of former Volunteer defensive back Inky Johnson, legacy freshman Evan Berry will wear the No. 29 jersey. Berry, also a defensive back, believes he will best embody the true meaning of representing No. 29.

On Sept. 9, 2006, Johnson suffered a career-ending injury in Neyland Stadium. Despite his inability to physically play football, Johnson continues to motivate both former and current Vols through inspirational messages.

"I think everyday people would love to be in my shoes right now, to be playing at the University of Tennessee," Berry said.

With high expectations of himself as a true freshman, Berry's enthusiasm to honor Johnson has impressed many around him.

"Just to show my respect for him, I didn't want anyone wearing that number and not really know the meaning behind that number, so I decided to take that number and wear it and represent it," Berry explained.
#VolReport: Legacy Freshmen Open Up - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics
 
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The Berry brothers, as individuals Elliot and Evan have become known in recent years, seemingly have just a bit to live up to at Tennessee based on what their father James, and brother Eric, have done before their arrival in Knoxville.

James, a tailback from 1978 to 1981, finished his career with more than 1,700 yards rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns and was the captain of the 1981 Tennessee football team that went 8-4, but was the first team eight-win team in eight years.

Then came Eric from 2007 to 2009. Two-time All-American, All-SEC, top-five overall NFL draft pick, Jim Thorpe Award winner, 245 career tackles in three seasons, 14 career interceptions and the list could go for a mile.

But, that didn't scare away either of the youngest Berry's, both some of the most talked about recruits since their brother was on The Hill.

"I try not to think about it and just do what I can do," Evan Berry put it last week when several freshmen met with the media.

Added Elliot in the same tone, "That's not really on my mind. I'm just trying to do the best that I can do."

But, it's hard not to think about it when your brother's pictures and trophies and awards are throughout the Anderson Training Center and the Neyland-Thompson Center.

Even though they may not think about the legacy set before him by his talented family members, Evan admitted that he does see it as something to try and strive for.

"I kind of embraced that," Evan explained. "It's always good to have a milestone in front of you and great goals ahead of you, especially that's made by your family members and it's just a good experience to have goals to reach."

There are plenty of milestones to be reached on the defensive side of the ball where both Evan and Elliot are projected to play.

Evan is starting out at cornerback while Elliot is playing nickel, a touch of linebacker and safety, the position where his brother excelled.

Neither of the brother said they felt any pressure to live up to what had come before them even though they both recognize what the expectations will be for them as well.

"It's just one of those things that are understood," Elliot said. "My dad just said do the best that you can do. I just want to do me.

"I feel like I already have my own name because my name's not Eric, either. I feel like I'm already going to make my own path, it's just whether it's going to be positive or negative."

Even though neither expects themselves to be their brother, they stay in touch with him often and talked with him before making their way to Knoxville in late May.

"I talked to Eric before I came here and he just gave me the basics of college, keeping up with your school work, staying on top of your plays and really just being smart, because it's the real world now and you have to make smart decisions," Evan said.

Added Elliot, "We probably talk two or three times a week. We don't really try and bug each other too much, we've both got a lot to do. He's working out getting ready for his season, I'm working out getting ready for mine."

Both brothers have already been praised for their work ethic and Elliot has been praise for his understanding and study of defensive schemes, even watching more film than anyone on the team in April and May, while he was still at Creekside High School.

"I was just interested in what type of coverages they were running and what type of things go on. It's just one of those things that will help me learn on the fly," Elliot said. "Watching it so often makes it become like second nature so watching it has helped me when it comes to seven-on-seven and conversations in the film room."

While both Berry brothers have embraced what being a 'Berry' at Tennessee means, they have also bracing for another challenge of being a Vol legacy; trying to bring Tennessee back.

For the Berry brothers the concern isn't living up to the hype, it's about making Tennessee, 'Tennessee' again, that's what being a legacy means to them.

"I think I feel like, especially since all of us are legacy guys, Tennessee has always been close to our hearts," Elliot explained, "so just the fact that we're in the position and have the opportunity to put Tennessee back on the top, it's just a big deal to me."
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-VolQuest
 
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