Saturday will be the final game at Neyland Stadium for 20 seniors.
That could well be the case for junior safety Eric Berry, too.
He's a consensus top 10 pick in April's NFL Draft if he opts to go pro, and he's already one of the best defensive players in Tennessee history.
On Wednesday, though, Berry said he hasn't thought a lot about whether Saturday will be his last game in Neyland Stadium or not.
"Right now, I'm just trying to focus on doing everything I can do to get this win at home," Berry said. "No telling if it might be my last or if it's not. But I just want to take everything in and try to appreciate these last games of this season."
Berry's mother, Carol, will be there along with a few cousins and his grandmother. His dad, James, will stay home in Georgia. for Eric's younger brothers' championship football game, Eric Berry said.
There's still a little unfinished business both for the Vols and for Berry.
Tennessee needs one more win to become bowl eligible. Two more wins would upgrade UT's bowl game.
And Berry still needs 8 yards to break the NCAA record for career interception return yardage.
"That would be nice to get that," Berry said. "That's in God's will. If God wants me to break that record, then I'll break. All I can do is give everything I've got and make sure I'm ready to play. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, we'll just move on to next week."
Time will tell what next year holds for Berry, whether it's the NFL, as most expect, or a return to Tennessee.
"I just cherish all the friendships and this whole coaching staff," Berry said. "I really do feel like this group of players at UT has really set the foundation for what greatness we do have to come at Tennessee."
i hope eric decides to stay at tennessee...i love watching him play, he's a great kid and the team needs his leadership next year. if he does go pro early i hope he maintains his style of play and character for we may never see another d-back as good as he is at tennessee or anywhere else for that matter
I remember when Payton Manning announced that he would be staying for his senior year.... not only was that exciting but today, he is THE BEST quarterback in the NFL!! Football aside.. a college degree is GUARANTEED! A long career in the NFL is not... Eric Berry is so exciting to watch and his character is even more impressive than his play ~~ I hope he stays in BIG ORANGE COUNTRY for 1 more year!!!
that guy has so much class.
I hate to be selfish, but i want him to stay.
I love watching him play.
Go Vols !!!!
Eric Berry, the classiest player in the NCAA right now, an amazing athlete, and i love how he gives everything to God. In my own opinion i wish he would stay, but, he has an entire family in Georgia, i live 20 min. from his hometown, but he has the chance to Either, break more records, OR go to the NFL and make Multi-Millions He has given everything for Tennessee, he is amazing, no matter where he goes, I'll be in the stands chanting his name. "Eric Berry"
Go vols!!
I wish he would stay as well, but you cant look down on the man if he wants to make millions next year. If I had the God given talent that he does I would probably forgo my senior year. With that said I want him to stay in Orange Country just for my own selfish reasons.
Eric Berry is an all around good player, and i hope he stays for his senior year so he can break records and maybe get a championship! who knows? Plzz stay in BIG ORANGE COUNTRY Eric Berry
Eric is a great player and although he can make millions next year who is to say he doesn't need the extra experience for his career. All favoritism apart i say he stays because he is a very smart man and he knows the possibilities of what can happen and he know that a degree will take him as far as he needs to go to be successful after his football career although commercials and advertisement is always a idea i think hell stay help us Vols out and make sure he has a secure plan b.
I wouldn't blame him if he went pro, but you got to keep in consideration, Peyton (as much class as Berry) stayed his senior year, when he could have been a number one draft pick or at least a top ten, not to mention, he had already finished his degree in three years...so his senior year all he did was play football! Something to think about, but I think he'll probably go next year.
Eric Berry is a class act across the board. Great player and person
Like everyone else feels Eric is a class guy and I think he'll do the right thing.
To Eric, everyone will support you whatever your decision because you've given so much to Tennessee football and its fans. But I would love for you to stay because we love watching you play for our team and you're studying to be a dentist which is also a fine profession. The college years are the best of your life, get that degree and enjoy one more great year when football will still be fun and not a job.
Eric Berry is a prime example of a role model. He takes his career in stride and never has a negative comment. He is a class act and the most athletic defensive back that I have ever had the privilege to watch. No matter his decision he will always be a legend in Tennessee.
I sooooooo hope that our boy Eric stays for one more season. That would be the key to some signees in the upcoming recruiting class too. I keep hearing and saying myself that Eric Berry may be the best athlete ever on defense to bear the orange and white. With that said, how do Jason Allens #'s compare with those of Berry's??
I want Eric to know that we all hope he will do what is right for him and his family. I know he will use prayer as his guide. God will provide an answer.
I hope he stays for one more year. Not only do I enjoy watching him play but I know the other teams are intimidated by him as well. And that is what Tennessee Defense should be about.
I know Eric Berry will make the best decision for his life and his family, but i must say if he stays we will have the best chance at an SEC championship we have had since the peyton manning and tee marrtin days. Eric is the best defensive player in college football in my opinion. If you type his name in on youtube, you can see a video that compares eric's 2008 stats with charles woodson's heisman campaign (erics stats were better). Either way, he is one of the best to ever play here.
Eric Berry Young and Scary
I HAVE A FEELING HE IS COMING BACK AND I HOPE NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR HIM HE HAS GREAT CHARACTER AND I LOVE THE WAY HE CARRIES HIMSELF. HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY THE VOL FAITHFUL.
Class act, that kid.
Eric, if you're reading this...well man, I know you've got to take care of your family...so every one of us will understand if you go pro, and continue to hold you in the highest regard.
But dang...if you bucked the conventional wisdom and announced you were staying? This state would go absolutely crazy.
:)
After Jason Allen hurt his hip playing for Tennessee I couldn't hold any bad feelings towards an early exit from Berry. He has been the most incredible DB ever. That'spretty good company considering A guy named Dale Carter and Jason Allen did play for the same team. Berry will instantly have success at the next level. He was one of the best in the country his freshman year. (Straight from High School to dominating in the SEC) I wish him the best of luck and I expect to be a fan of whatever team he lands on. Just like all of UT's fans love the Colts as well.