SEC Football 2017: Biggest x-factor for every team
By Trey Daubert
Evan Berry – Tennessee
Yes, Evan Berry is the brother of Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry. The younger Berry doesn’t have the resume his older brother has but he’s heading into his senior year. Now it’s time for the other brother to show his worth. The eldest Berry recorded 87 tackles and five interceptions as a freshman and flashed on the scene immediately. Berry has a long way to go but is starting to see the game better.
“It was just a blur to me (last season),” Berry told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “Now it’s kind of slowed down and I understand it a lot more. Now that I do, it’s time to make plays.”
His college production thus far isn’t too overwhelming with one career interceptions to this point. He also missed the final four games of the Volunteer’s season. Berry, however, is really athletic and serves a big role in the return game. Berry has four career touchdowns in the kick return game. Berry will return in 2017 after missing a big portion of the season due to injuries.
Berry’s value goes beyond just playing well. With Derek Barnett gone to the NFL, Tennessee likely won’t have nearly the same pass rush they did. Barnett is the all-time sack leader in program history passing a mark held by Reggie White. With less pressure on the quarterback, Berry really needs to make up for the mistakes in the backend.