Should junior Eric Berry run through the T with the seniors on Saturday?

What if Berry was on pace to graduate either this semester or in the spring? Would that change the equation?

I think maybe Carl Pickens when Johnny Majors was here…but it was never allowed then. And like Joel points out, I think this is a non-issue simply because Berry wouldn’t do it.

I never thought I’d say this about any UT player, but when you look at situations like Sam Bradford this year and others along the way, if/when EB goes pro early I won’t feel disappointed one bit.

I can’t believe people are even talking about this.

I love Eric Berry, love everything he has done since he got here. And I think he should leave early and would be stupid not to.

All that being said, what part of “Senior Day” don’t you people understand? (I’m guessing the “senior” part. Although, to be fair, with a 7pm kickoff, perhaps the “day” part is a little confusing too.)

Didn’t they honor Candace Parker on “Senior Night” a couple of years ago? I thought that was bush league, but no big deal because it was the same sport in which Nykesha Sales “broke” Connecticut’s all-time scoring record…

I don’t see a problem with it. I think he should be honored for all of the hard work he has put in as an athlete and a student for the past 3 years at UT. He has awed us with his playmaking and HUGE hits, so we should send him off with his last home game! Imagine if Peyton has left… It would have been a travesty not to send that man off with by letting him run through the “T” alone!

. . . they should put him in position that will maximize the possibility he gets that blasted interception return yardage record.

Or make a point of taking him out late in the game to a standing O or something. Or running all of his Heisman videos back to back during halftime or a timeout or something. There are other ways to recognize him.

What if a player takes the minimum credit load every semester (12, right?) and plays all four years? That 4th year, he’d only have 24*4 = 96 credits, which isn’t enough to graduate under any degree program.

Or suppose he redshirts one of those years, but plans on going into the draft after his 4th overall year? That way, he plays three and doesn’t graduate, but is on the team for four.

My original opinion on this was “heck yes he should be able to, he’s been great for this program and the only reason he’s leaving is to help his family.”

But upon further consideration, I have to say that I changed my mind. I think senior year is for guys who stay in as long as they can and show devotion to the team rather than bouncing for NFL bucks or real world jobs. I realize that EB is justified in his decision. i have no problems with him leaving, but I think that the rule shouldn’t be open to exceptions on a case by case basis because it sets a precedent that could eventually
cheapen the achievment for the guys who do get it.

Sure Eric has had a great career. I’ve loved watching him play. He is actually my second favorite Vol all time behind Chris Lofton. I will watch whatever NFL team he plays for, just like I do with the Colts. But if you make this exception then next time we have a guy who has had a great career but jumps to the NFL just for the money without any altruistic motives, maybe that guy wants to be treated like a senior and that actually would cheapen it for the guys who stuck it out for four years.

IMO Senior Day is about dedication to the team, and while I think family is more important, giving up events like running through the T is part of the sacrifice involved in Eric’s decision.

officially (credit-wise)