Football: Berry ready to lead defense, Panthers to Big East Championship

Aaron Berry and Dave Wannstedt are in this together.

Four years ago, when Wannstedt took over the reigns as head football coach at Pitt, Berry was part of his first recruiting class.

Early on, they struggled. Wannstedt’s teams couldn’t score many points, and the defense had to try to carry the load. Sometimes, it was too much to bear.

But last year, with stud tail back LeSean McCoy in the backfield, the Panthers had more opportunities than ever to get into the end zone. Behind McCoy’s 21 total touchdowns and a well-balanced defense anchored by Scott McKillop, the Panthers went 9-3 and made their first bowl game in the Wannstedt era.

But with McCoy’s departure to the NFL, the offense seemed erratic through training camp. The makeup of this year’s team might be headed back toward that of 2007, when the team went 5-7 and struggled to find consistency on offense.

And that’s where Berry steps in.

Coming off a career year with second team All-Big East honors, Berry is in his third full year as a starter at cornerback. He said he knows this year’s unit will have to be stellar to win a lot of games with an offense that is struggling.

But he’s prepared and eager to take on the challenge.

“We’ve been down this road before when a couple years back the offense was struggling a little bit,” Berry, a senior, said. “We had to step up as a defense, so we’ve been through this before. I feel we’re all ready … I feel everybody’s going to take it as a chip on their shoulder.”

That is the mentality Berry will try to impose on the defensive side of the ball. It’s because Berry fashions himself a leader and the type of veteran who can guide a team.

“I feel like I’m a big leader back there, being around for four years,” Berry said. “Starting for three and we were all together last year, and now we’re all back. I feel that if we’re all on the same page and we communicate well, we can really do some big things in the secondary. So, as far as a leader, I feel like I’m going to be a big part of our secondary back there, as far as our communication and lining up and all that.”

A big part of what allows Berry to feel poised as a leader is confidence.

Last season, he was second on the team with three interceptions. He’s viewed as a complete player, outstanding in both pass coverage and run support. He showed he was a solid tackler, compiling 41 last year. He also figures to play a role in the punt return game.

Having that type of versatility allows Berry to be vocal in all phases of the defense with buoyancy and self-assurance.

“My confidence is sky-high right now,” he said. “That’s a big thing with college football. A lot of it’s mental — you got to know what you’re doing at the right time. That’s pretty much what I do best. I play fast because I know what I’m doing.”

Berry has brought all that to the table throughout training camp — the most physical camp Wannstedt has ever run, with live contact drills every day.

“Aaron had a great camp, he really did,” Wannstedt said. “He’s playing within the defense, he’s playing disciplined. He’s a cover corner that we can do some things with him to take advantage of his experience and ability. Aaron’s had a very good training camp, and I expect him to have a great year.”

And when asked if Berry is the leader of the defense, the coach obliged.

“He’s one of the leaders. I think we have several, and he’s definitely one of them.”

With self-confidence and expectations by the coaching staff, it now becomes time for Berry to translate it to the field.

In a week, the Panthers will open their season at home against Youngstown State. The opponent doesn’t figure to be much of a problem for Pitt, but it begins the campaign to achieve something neither Berry nor Wannstedt has accomplished when coming into this program together four years ago — Big East supremacy.

And that is the driving force behind the senior defensive back’s season. This time, even if the defense is saddled with greater pressure to carry the program, Berry is determined on one thing.

“I’m just worried about a Big East Championship,” Berry said. “That’s what I want to do, being here, we were supposed to turn the program around — Wannstedt’s first recruiting class — and I feel with a Big East Championship, that’s a good way to go out.”

In fact, Berry is so set on the idea that he is itching to hit the field after a grueling and hot training camp.

“We’re all in shape, ready to go,” Berry said. “I can’t wait until next Saturday.”