Fansided

50 greatest college football players this century, ranked

By Jeremy Morris

Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the Florida Gators (Photo by Matt Marriott/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the Florida Gators (Photo by Matt Marriott/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
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Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
  • Jim Thorpe Award (2009)
  • 2x Jack Tatum Award (2008, 2009)
  • 2× Consensus All-American (2008, 2009)
  • SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
  • 2× First-team All-SEC (2008, 2009)

70 percent of the earth is covered by water. The rest is covered by Eric Berry.

As a true freshman in 2007, Eric Berry started every game for Tennessee. In 14 games, he intercepted five passes, returning one for a touchdown and led all freshman conference-wide with 86 tackles.

His impact after one season was felt not only on this field but in the locker room and on the practice fields. Although only a sophomore, he was elected a captain by teammate going into the 2008 season. He had 72 tackles and seven interceptions that season, returning two more for touchdowns.

After being named the SEC’s best defensive player, winning the Jack Tatum Award and named an All-American as a sophomore, he returned in 2009 to again win the Tatum Award and Jim Thorpe Award and All-American honors for the second year in a row.

Bonus Fact: Berry’s 487 interception return yards over his first two seasons were enough to make his second all-time in interception return yards in college football history.

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