13 Year Old Accepts Football Scholarship

[KFDM COOP]

13yo Accepts Football Scholarship

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Jamie Newberg

Rivals.com Football Recruiting

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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.

[Gabe]

That's not right in my eyes

[tvc184]

That's not right in my eyes

Yeah but I think it is a gimmick really. I guess you can verbally commit at 5 years old if you want to but by NCAA rules, it is obviously not allowed. This is nothing more than a father making an over the top pitch for his son and his alma mater. He might have "committed" to Tennessee but I'll bet Tennessee hasn't accepted.

I think that the kid's father is trying to vicariously live his youth again through his son, possibly at the son's expense... which I guess is why you think that it is not right.... and I agree. I just don't think it is much more than a publicity stunt.

[thetragichippy]

That's not right in my eyes

Yeah but I think it is a gimmick really. I guess you can verbally commit at 5 years old if you want to but by NCAA rules, it is obviously not allowed. This is nothing more than a father making an over the top pitch for his son and his alma mater. He might have "committed" to Tennessee but I'll bet Tennessee hasn't accepted.

I think that the kid's father is trying to vicariously live his youth again through his son, possibly at the son's expense... which I guess is why you think that it is not right.... and I agree. I just don't think it is much more than a publicity stunt.

publicity stunt.........might put pressure on the HS coach to start him

[Lefty99]

That's not right in my eyes

Yeah but I think it is a gimmick really. I guess you can verbally commit at 5 years old if you want to but by NCAA rules, it is obviously not allowed. This is nothing more than a father making an over the top pitch for his son and his alma mater. He might have "committed" to Tennessee but I'll bet Tennessee hasn't accepted.

I think that the kid's father is trying to vicariously live his youth again through his son, possibly at the son's expense... which I guess is why you think that it is not right.... and I agree. I just don't think it is much more than a publicity stunt.

publicity stunt.........might put pressure on the HS coach to start him

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Keyser Soze]

13yo Accepts Football Scholarship

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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.

Does anyone know what a "verbal scholarship" will pay in 5 years for such a gifted 13 yr old daddy baller who is on a different level than the other 13's? Heck! The Vols may have 1 or 2 different head coaches by then. 

[stang4life]

WOW!  They're doing big things in Tennessee, huh? 

[joebdun]

Why stop there go ahead and sing him to the Titions he can be like Young and everone can tell him how great he is and the first time he fails he will won't to shot himself. How much pressure can one person take, let along a kid, The dad is a fool. Let the kid be a kid and if it happens it happens and if not so be it he might become a good person that did not play D1  football. There are a lot of them out here

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

what ever happened to Cody Hall? 

[Guest etbu]

WOW!  They're doing big things in Tennessee, huh? 

Ya for sure but the HC has been running his mouth or about how they will destroy Fla. RIGHT?