'07 GA DB Eric Berry (Tennessee signee)

[osugrad21]

'07 GA QB/DB Eric Berry


Dual-threat quarterback / Athlete
Fairburn (GA)
Creekside

Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 180 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds
Vertical leap: 30 inches
Shuttle time: 4.81 seconds

Eric has written offers from Georgia, Ohio State and North Carolina and verbal offers from Alabama, Georgia Tech and Florida. At the Atlanta Nike Camp, Eric ran a 4.55 electronically timed 40, but topped that with a 4.37 electonically timed 40 at the GT camp while also recording a 38 inch vertical leap. During Berry's junior season, Creekside's QB was injured and Eric stepped right in for 1,200 yards rushing and approximately 1,000 yards passing with 21 total touchdowns. Although he only played defense for two varsity seasons, Eric recorded 13 career INTs.

Rivals$ Film


AJC

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Leadership suits junior QB
Berry's rushing, passing talents drove Creekside

By DERRICK MAHONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/22/05
After watching Eric Berry emerge as one of the top quarterbacks the past two years, Creekside coach Kevin Whitley wanted to see a different side of the junior.

Whitley always has known Berry had the talent to lead by example; the coach wanted to see more vocal leadership.


Berry's moment came in the first half of the Seminoles' season opener against Alexander. With Creekside struggling, Berry gave his teammates a tongue-lashing.

"I just got frustrated and let it come out," Berry said. "It was in the heat of the moment. I guess my vocal leadership came by accident."

Creekside went on to win the game, and complete its first unbeaten regular season since 1998. The 6-0, 180-pound Berry was the catalyst for the Seminoles. As the quarterback in the triple-option offense, which is patterned after Georgia Southern University's, Berry rushed for 1,218 yards on 137 carries and 13 touchdowns. He passed for 852 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I'm very comfortable with the offense," Berry said. "I've had three years to perfect it, and I think I'm getting close."

Whitley has been pleased with Berry's maturity.

"We threw him in the fire early," Whitley said. "He has become more of a vocal leader. He is not afraid to speak now. I guess some of it had to do with him being young."

Berry has a good role model to confide in: his father, James Berry. The elder Berry was a standout running back at Tennessee. The two talk often about football and life in general.

This time next season, Berry will be trying to make one of the biggest decisions of his young life. He already has received offers from Georgia Tech, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio State and Florida.

He is not sure if he will play quarterback or defensive back.

"I didn't think I would get any offers this early," Berry said. "I'm glad to see my parents won't have to pay for school. Right now, I don't know what position. I just want to make plays and play."

What you should know about Berry:

• The last time somebody told me they were proud of me was: "At a banquet for my brother's Little League team, a lady told me she was proud I have some scholarship offers."

• When not playing sports: "I'm playing 'Madden.' "

• Nothing makes me laugh like: "The show 'Family Guy.' "

• Offense or defense: "Why are you making me choose? I don't know."

• It is difficult to be a two-way player because: "You have to be in shape."

• Being a quarterback is: "Being a leader."

• My best days are spent: "With my family."

• Proudest moment: "Making the National Honor Society."

• Fondest memory: "Spending time with my grandfather fishing."





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[wadc45]

Eric's numbers from the Kennedy CES combine are impressive:

Height: 6-0
Weight: 182
40-yard: 4.46
Short Shuttle: 4.43
Vertical Leap: 32"
3-cone: 7.66
Broad Jump: 10-1

The only question is will be tall enough to be a D1 QB? If not, he could still end up as a heck of a DB/WR...

[CoosMeister]

How tall is Troy Smith? You don't need to be too tall to be a good college QB if you can scramble. If you can move, you can find the throwing lanes.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by CoosMeister

How tall is Troy Smith? You don't need to be too tall to be a good college QB if you can scramble. If you can move, you can find the throwing lanes.

Smith is 6'2''. With our guys being 6'8'' at lineman we need about 6'2'' or taller.

[DaytonBuck]

Smith's list may be 6'2 but I had class with him and he's 5'11/6'0. Height I don't think matters as much as your skill. Sounds like an impressive guy to get an offer this early.

[wadc45]

I see Troy once or twice a week...I am 6-0 and he is taller than I am by at least an inch or two...

[briegg]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

• Being a quarterback is: "Being a leader."

• My best days are spent: "With my family."

• Proudest moment: "Making the National Honor Society."

• Fondest memory: "Spending time with my grandfather fishing."

Love the answers - NHS - loves spend time with family. The only thing I fear is that his father played for Tennessee - may be tough to get him out of the south - sounds like a good one.

[BuckeyeFromHecK]

Hazell told me that Troy's a hair under 6'1, but hes a tank.

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFromHecK

Hazell told me that Troy's a hair under 6'1, but hes a tank.

I must still be growing then...because I definitely look up at him.

[cbus2005]

Perhaps his shoes haver higher heels than yours

[e3jr8]

If we get this guy, do you see him playing QB?

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by e3jr8

If we get this guy, do you see him playing QB?

that's what we've been discussing...

[e3jr8]

OK, that was a dumb question. I was just wondering what your opinions we're on where he'll play, not his height.

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by e3jr8

OK, that was a dumb question. I was just wondering what your opinions we're on where he'll play, not his height.

maybe a little soon to say...maybe he grows another inch or two, maybe only wants to go where schools are offering him as a QB, maybe he works out as a DB at a combine, etc. I think we'll know more after the summer camps.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

1/31/06

From UGASports...Eric has been named the #2 prospect in UGASports' early Georgia Elite 11 list. They project him as a corner.