piratebg
06-30-2009, 12:28 PM
http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=960207
Jamie Newberg
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
Talk about it in the Message Boards
In college football recruiting today, it's never too early.
The entire process has been accelerated. In fact, it's now so fast that one rising star has decided where to play his college football even though he hasn't played a down of high school football.
The player is Evan Berry of Fairburn, Ga. Berry is the younger brother of Tennessee super safety Eric Berry.
Evan Berry has decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother and father after accepting a verbal scholarship offer to play for the Volunteers and coach Lane Kiffin.
"Yes, I committed to Tennessee," Evan said. "It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me. My dad went there and my brother is there now. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I know I don't know them too well, but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them."
Berry, only 13 years old, will be a ninth grader this fall at Creekside - the same high school Eric attended. He has played his recreational ball for the Fairburn Flames. He was a star quarterback, running back and free safety. He was coached by his father, James Berry.
"Evan plays on a different level than everyone else," James Berry said. "He's a technician with the ball in his hands. He just fits at quarterback and at safety. He's quick and fast and has a natural instinct for handling the ball."
Berry has a fraternal twin, Elliot. Evan currently stands 5-8 and 145 pounds while Elliot is 5-11.
"I am not sure why Elliot is bigger but he just recently decided to go on a huge growth spurt," James Berry said. "He's so fast and has such natural instincts to find the open spot. He's very instinctive on defense and a good tackler. Elliot is more like Eric. Like I said, Evan is in another league of his own."
Speaking of Eric, how would the Berry's father compare the twins to their older brother at the same stage?
"I coached all three to this stage and I can say that Evan and Elliot are further along than Eric was at 13," James Berry said. "They are such gifted athletes. I don't want to sound like the dad who's always bragging, but they are. They are blessed. I am blessed. And I am so proud of all my boys. But the thing I am most proud of is that they are such good students."
This season Evan and Elliot will have to earn their way to the varsity at Creekside. That's how they want it, and they will work hard to accomplish that first goal.
"I am hoping to play quarterback and in the secondary this season," Evan Berry said. "Elliot wants to play running back and linebacker."
Still, it's scary to think that this duo will only be high school freshman this fall.
"Hey, we just have to take it one day at a time," James Berry said. "Things happen and four years is a long ways away."
While Evan has made his early decision, Elliot has not. In fact, at this time he favors another SEC program.
"Right now Evan favors LSU. He really likes their track program," Evan Berry said.
Jamie Newberg
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
Talk about it in the Message Boards
In college football recruiting today, it's never too early.
The entire process has been accelerated. In fact, it's now so fast that one rising star has decided where to play his college football even though he hasn't played a down of high school football.
The player is Evan Berry of Fairburn, Ga. Berry is the younger brother of Tennessee super safety Eric Berry.
Evan Berry has decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother and father after accepting a verbal scholarship offer to play for the Volunteers and coach Lane Kiffin.
"Yes, I committed to Tennessee," Evan said. "It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me. My dad went there and my brother is there now. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I know I don't know them too well, but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them."
Berry, only 13 years old, will be a ninth grader this fall at Creekside - the same high school Eric attended. He has played his recreational ball for the Fairburn Flames. He was a star quarterback, running back and free safety. He was coached by his father, James Berry.
"Evan plays on a different level than everyone else," James Berry said. "He's a technician with the ball in his hands. He just fits at quarterback and at safety. He's quick and fast and has a natural instinct for handling the ball."
Berry has a fraternal twin, Elliot. Evan currently stands 5-8 and 145 pounds while Elliot is 5-11.
"I am not sure why Elliot is bigger but he just recently decided to go on a huge growth spurt," James Berry said. "He's so fast and has such natural instincts to find the open spot. He's very instinctive on defense and a good tackler. Elliot is more like Eric. Like I said, Evan is in another league of his own."
Speaking of Eric, how would the Berry's father compare the twins to their older brother at the same stage?
"I coached all three to this stage and I can say that Evan and Elliot are further along than Eric was at 13," James Berry said. "They are such gifted athletes. I don't want to sound like the dad who's always bragging, but they are. They are blessed. I am blessed. And I am so proud of all my boys. But the thing I am most proud of is that they are such good students."
This season Evan and Elliot will have to earn their way to the varsity at Creekside. That's how they want it, and they will work hard to accomplish that first goal.
"I am hoping to play quarterback and in the secondary this season," Evan Berry said. "Elliot wants to play running back and linebacker."
Still, it's scary to think that this duo will only be high school freshman this fall.
"Hey, we just have to take it one day at a time," James Berry said. "Things happen and four years is a long ways away."
While Evan has made his early decision, Elliot has not. In fact, at this time he favors another SEC program.
"Right now Evan favors LSU. He really likes their track program," Evan Berry said.