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Eric Berry: NFL Draft Profile

Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by Brandon LaClair in Defensive Back, NFL Draft Player Profiles

We will take a look at Tennessee Defensive Back Eric Berry. We’ll examine his strengths/weaknesses, his college career and our expectations for his upcoming NFL career.

Strengths

• Agility: Smooth transition out of his back pedal and his breaks.
• Instincts: Excellent recognition skills; exceptional ability to read quarterback’s eyes.
• Pass coverage: Equally impressive in man-to-man and zone coverage.

Weaknesses

• Size: Berry’s size (5-11, 203) isn’t an obstruction; while he won’t get any taller, he could add some size to his thin frame.
• Tackling: Has had problems at times tackling bigger players than him; some time in the weight room will cure this problem.
• Run support: Needs to close faster on running backs that break the front seven.

Berry’s freshman season was sensational; rivaling any defensive back that has ever played college football.  Consider this: Tennessee’s first game was against California where Berry started out as a 3^rd down nickelback; his showing was so impressive that the coaching staff bumped him up to starting strong safety for the following game against Southern Miss; replacing a 5^th year senior.  From that point on, Berry became a star at the college level.  The freshman set the rookie record with 86 total tackles (52 solo), five interceptions and 222 return yards, which broke the freshman record.

Berry’s 2^nd year at Tennessee was an incredible representation of what an NFL prospect is supposed to be.  A remarkable display of speed, athleticism and closing ability led to a season that challenged Charles Woodson’s Heisman campaign in 1997 for arguably the best of all time.  Berry was the lone bright spot in a season of despondency where the Volunteers finished 5-7.  His seven interceptions were tied for the most in the nation in 2008; he also racked up 72 tackles (44 solo), three sacks, 265 interception return yards, and two touchdowns.  Berry was crowned the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was deemed a finalist for the annual Thorpe award that is given to the nation’s best defensive player; other candidates were Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State and Taylor Mays of USC.  Jenkins won the award, which could go down as the biggest travesty in the history of this “prestigious” award.  Berry’s stats triumphed over Jenkins  while being the most influential defensive player in the nation (and it wasn’t even close).  If Berry played in the Big 10 and a more celebrated college football program, then he would’ve won the award by a wide margin.  Berry was cheated out of the Thorpe trophy effectively made the award an instant joke.

Berry’s junior year didn’t produce the interception total as the coaching staff consistently moved him to different areas of the defense. Still, he provided instant production on the field and leadership intangibles that helped lead Tennessee to a winning record in 2009.  While being a consistent defensive stopper all year, Berry had three standout defensive efforts in 2008 that helped ensure him a top #10 pick in 2010 NFL Draft.

Vs. UCLA: 10 total tackles (7 solo)

Vs. Florida: 11 total tackles (9 solo), Int

Vs. Auburn: 14 total tackles (11 solo)

Berry’s 2009 season produced 83 tackles (54 solo), one forced fumble, and two interceptions; his effort brought a selection as a unanimous All-American and the obscure Thorpe award that eluded him in 2008.

If nothing else is clear about the 2010 NFL Draft, it is clear that Berry is the best athlete in the draft.  Once the rookie hopefuls are made available to the NFL scouts at the combine, I guarantee that the scouts will be clamoring for a front row seat to watch the exceptional safety at work.  Berry is the best safety prospect since the late Sean Taylor; has the exceptional instincts of Ed reed, and has the mentality of a “striker,” the ability to float back-and-forth among the defensive backfield, which directly emulates skills that Troy Polamalu epitomizes.  Berry has the overall talent and athletic prowess to be taken #1 overall, but the ghastly Rams are first on the clock and with all the holes that they need to fill, it’s unlikely that they will choose a safety 1^st overall.  Berry’s skill-set and football intelligence makes him a shoe-in as an immediate starter in the NFL and the league must immediately take notice of this special rookie, who is undoubtedly a future superstar in the NFL.

Related posts:

1. Taylor Mays: NFL Draft Profile
2. Eric Berry to the Chiefs
3. Joe Haden: NFL Draft Profile
4. Ndamukong Suh: NFL Draft Profile
5. Rolando McClain: NFL Draft Profile

Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, Cornerback, Eric Berry, Fantasy Football, Featured, IDP, NFL Draft Bound, Rookie Comparisons, Strengths, Tennessee, Troy Polamalu, Vols, Weaknesses