Athlete (Cornerback, Quarterback) Eric Berry 5-11,195 Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside)

The Vols picked up the commitment of Eric Berry, a multitalented, five-star prospect out of Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia.

Sorry Bulldogs, read it and weep.

The most-touted overall prospect to select UT in years, Berry boasts legitimate 4.3 speed, will likely return kicks and could play cornerback, receiver, running back or quarterback for the Vols as early as next season.  UT coaches presented him an offensive plan similar to Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden at Arkansas.  Berry is the nation's No. 3 prospect, according to Rivals.

A quarterback in high school, Berry glides effortlessly around the field.  He is a superb athlete that will translate to a corner or wide receiver on the next level.  All he is lacking is experience.

Eric Berry played quarterback during his senior season and finished with over 2000 total yards and 22 touchdowns; Berry benches 315 pounds, squats 560 and has a vertical jump of 37.5-inches.  Partial senior season (5-0) stats: 1100 total yards/15 touchdowns/1 interception.  He reports a 3.2 GPA and a 970 SAT.  Berry, son of former Vol running back James Berry, checks in at No. 7 on Scout's top 100 list.

Eric Berry is the top cornerback prospect in the country.  He is a U.S. Army All-American.

After putting distance between itself and a losing 2005 season with a successful 9-4 record this past season, Tennessee is now wiping out memories of a disappointing 2006 signing class with Class of 2007 that is looking better by the day.

“Eric called me and said he committed,” Creekside Head Coach Kevin Whitley told Scout.com’s Jamie Newberg.  “I always encouraged him to take all five of his official visits but I think in the end things just got too hectic for him.  You know Eric and his family have a history with Tennessee and that’s a place where I know he feels comfortable.  He will also play early for the Vols.”

The announcement by Berry brought to an end a recruiting battle that had been brewing for years between Tennessee and Georgia for what is perhaps the best prospect grown in the Peach State since Champ Bailey.  Ohio State, Auburn, USC, Florida and Miami were  among the other schools he considered from a collection of over 50 offers.

However in the end Berry followed the same path blazed by his father James Berry, a former Parade High School All-American who started at tailback for two years (1980-81) at UT under Johnny Majors.  "Dad going there was a factor,” Berry said.  “And I wanted to fill his shoes.  I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but it should be fun."

"I'm going to Tennessee" said the U.S. Army All-American from Creekside High in Fairburn, Georgia.  "The guy you just got off the phone with is like a brother to me.  We sat down and he just talked to me about my life and where I wanted to go with it.  That just put me over the fence."

Berry who was close to setting up all his visits decided he did not want to take those knowing he was just leading the coaches on when his mind was made up.  "I just felt it. It was a lot of factors, the coaches they are genuine and straight-forward.  In committing to Tennessee, Berry becomes a legacy. 

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