Updated: 11/4/2009 9:10:29 PM
Tennessee consensus All-America safety Eric Berry is a semifinalists for two prestigious postseason awards, the Bednarik Award and the Jim Thorpe Award.
Berry is one of several SEC players on both semifinalist lists. The Bednarik Award is given to the nation's best defensive player, while the Jim Thorpe Award is for the nation's top defensive back.
The 16 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award are:
Pat Angerer, University of Iowa, LB, SR
Eric Berry, University of Tennessee, DB, JR
Navorro Bowman, Penn State University, LB, JR
Terrence Cody, University of Alabama, DL, SR
Rennie Curran, University of Georgia, LB, JR
Jerry Hughes, Texas Christian University, DL, SR
Greg Jones, Michigan State University, LB, JR
Taylor Mays, University of Southern California, DB, SR
Rolando McClain, University of Alabama, LB, JR
Gerald McCoy, University of Oklahoma, DL, SR
Von Miller, Texas A&M, DL, JR
Eric Norwood, University of South Carolina, LB, SR
Brian Price, UCLA, DL, JR
O'Brien Schofield, University of Wisconsin, DL, SR
Brandon Spikes, University of Florida, LB, SR
Ndamukong Suh, University of Nebraska, DL, SR
The finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back are:
Javier Arenas, Sr., Alabama
Eric Berry, Jr., Tennessee
Barry Church, Sr., Toledo
Perrish Cox, Sr., Oklahoma State
Joe Haden, Jr., Florida
Brandon Harris, So., Miami (FL)
Taylor Mays, Sr., USC
Tyler Sash, So., Iowa
Darrell Stuckey, Sr., Kansas
Earl Thomas, So., Texas
Alterraun Verner, Sr., UCLA
Kyle Wilson, Sr., Boise State
Here is the University of Tennessee's release on Berry's status:
Tennessee safety Eric Berry has been named a semifinalist for the second year in a row for two prestigious national awards.
The Fairburn, Ga., junior is one of 12 players recognized for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's best college defensive back. Berry was a Thorpe finalist last season. And Berry is one of 15 players named for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the outstanding national defensive back of the year. Berry was a Bednarik semifinalist during his All-America campaign of 2008.
Three finalists each for both awards will be named Nov. 23, leading to the announcement of the winner during the nationally telecast Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
Berry's role has changed in 2009 under Vols defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who maximizes the junior versatility by playing him in multiple positions. The 5-11, 203-pounder stands second on the team with 57 tackles and leads in special teams stops with seven. He leads the Vols in passes defensed with seven, has five tackles behind the line of scrimmage for third on the team, and also is third with three quarterback hurries.
UT's strong safety has one interception, of Florida's Tim Tebow, for zero return yards, but increased his career fumble return yardage total to 101 with a dazzling 46-yard runback against Georgia.
Berry was the Lott Trophy's National Player of the Week and the CBS Player of the Game for his efforts in the 23-13 loss at Florida on Sept. 19.
