It's Berry time: Decision made after talking to family, Kiffin

Lane Kiffin doesn't stop recruiting often.
But at least when it comes to players already in the program, the Tennessee coach is able to shut down his role as pitchman and play it straight for a while.
That might cost the Vols a chance to keep a few NFL-eligible players for an extra season at times, but Kiffin won't ever try to hold anybody back - starting with junior Eric Berry. Neither announced a definitive decision during a press conference Monday, but with one expected after the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech on Thursday (TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), it seems clear where the safety is headed.
"These may be the only conversations that I don't recruit in is with these guys," Kiffin said. "It's too important for them to make the right decision. This isn't about me, it isn't about Tennessee.
"This is about Eric and Eric's family, and so I told Eric from my perspective that he's done everything that he can do. If he wants to go, this is the time to go."
In all likelihood he will, and Berry's stock could hardly be higher.
At least one projection has the versatile defender as the No. 1 player in the draft, and though Berry has repeatedly talked about his love for UT (7-5) and the coaching staff, outside factors could make it hard for him to return.
After delaying an announcement last week until after playing the Hokies (9-3), Berry again deflected most every question about his status and wouldn't address specific issues influencing his decision. But everything from family concerns to possible restructuring of the NFL pay scale seem to make this the right time for him to move on, and one way or the other he's already made up his mind.
"It's kind of made up, but right now I don't want to get into that," Berry said. "I want to focus on Virginia Tech and just deal with that right now.
"I really just wanted to make sure there was no stone unturned. I sat down with coach Kiffin and talked about it, sat down with my family, talked with some of my close teammates and friends about the whole situation. I wanted to make sure I weighed out every possible scenario and situation that could happen."