KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry was named the winner of the 2008 Jack Tatum Award on Thursday. The award is presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio) to the best defensive back in college football.
Named for Ohio State and NFL legend Jack Tatum, the award is the latest in a long line of postseason honors for the sophomore from Fairburn, Ga. Berry became Tennessee's first unanimous All-America selection since Antone Davis in 1990 after being a first-team selection of all five NCAA-recognized organizations. He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and the league's coaches.
Berry led the nation with seven interceptions, returning a pair for touchdowns. He also added three sacks and was third on the UT defense in tackles. He is the first Vol to ever win the Tatum Award.
The award will be presented during the 54th Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on February 7, 2009.
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)