Rivals released their all-time five-star list on Monday, and one Vol was featured on the list— Eric Berry. Since the inception of its five-star rankings, Rivals has given out five-star status to over 500 prospects over the last 25 years.
This list released on Monday ranked the top 32 prospects to ever receive five-star status. The ranking was formulated by a combination of their prep accolades, recruiting hype, college career and their NFL Draft slot. Professional success doesn’t factor into the equation.
Berry came it out No.15 overall on the list of star-studded names, featuring multiple Heisman winners and first round picks.
High School: Creekside (Ga.)
Rivals Ranking: No. 3 NATL.
College: Tennessee
NFL Draft Selection: No. 5 (2010)
“Berry starred at both quarterback and defensive back for Creekside, leading his team to a 37-5 record while earning Army All-American honors as a senior,” the release stated. “He ultimately chose Tennessee over offers from nearly every major program in the country and finished as two-time unanimous All-American, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year twice, and also took home the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award. After his college career was over, he played nine seasons in the NFL — all for the Kansas City Chiefs — and was a five-time Pro Bowler and the league’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2015 after a battle with cancer.”
Berry was the highest ranked defensive back on the list, just ahead of former LSU commitment Patrick Peterson.
Berry was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023, and he was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in February of 2025. Below is the full rankings.