THIS YEAR: The anchor of the Cougar defense, two-time All-GNAC senior Aaron Berry has appeared in 33 games over the past three years, starting the past 23 in a row … Is long, athletic, and dynamic … Difficult to defend … Has terrific speed and strength and wreaks havoc all over the field … During his career has scored TDs via interception, blocked kick, and returned fumbled and has tallied a safety … Enters the season with 217 tackles, including 19 for loss … Also has seven QB hurries and has blocked three kicks.
2017 (junior): Earned All-GNAC first team after starting all 11 games and leading the team in tackles for the second straight year with 84 tackles, including team-high 12 tackles for loss, which tied for fourth in the GNAC … Forced one fumble, blocked three kicks, and was credited with one safety (vs. Simon Fraser) … Had double-digit tackles in five games, including a career-high matching 14 (7 solo) vs. Central Washington.
2016 (sophomore): Named All-GNAC second team after earning a starting spot at whip to start the season and then leading the NCAA-playoff bound Cougars with 107 tackles (51 solo), which included 6 for loss … Also had 6 quarterback hurries, 3 pass deflections, an interceptions and a fumble recovery … Had nine or more tackles in ten games, including a season-high 14 in a victory over Humboldt State … Also had 11 tackles vs. Central Washington and Colorado Mesa … Returned a fumble 62 yards for a TD in a 45-13 victory over Humboldt State … Following week returned an interception 50 yards for a TD in a 57-0 win over Simon Fraser.
2015 (freshman): As a true freshman came off the bench in all 10 games for the Cougars … Recorded 26 tackles on defense and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Cougars’ 56-27 victory over South Dakota Mines.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a three-sport athlete at Perris (Calif.) High, competing in football, basketball, and track & field... Was a three-year varsity letterman in football … As a 2014 senior, led the Panthers in rushing TDs (14), while rushing for 574 yards on 48 carries (11.6 avg.) ... Also had 13 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown ... Defensively, registered 85 tackles in 10 games with four interceptions, both were team-highs... Led the team to a 6-4 record as a senior after having gone 1-19 in the previous two seasons … As a 2013 junior, recorded 31 receptions for 334 yards and six touchdowns... Defensively, led the team with 113 tackles with one interception and two fumble recoveries ... As a 2012 sophomore, recorded four receptions for 35 yards and tallied 55 total tackles, which ranked second on the team … Played for head coach Chris Dowdy ... Played varsity basketball for three years as a power forward for head coach Jared Mandville... As a senior, averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, while helping the Panthers to an 8-2 Sunbelt Conference record ... Competed in varsity track & field for four years as a sprinter and jumper.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 6, 1997, in Perris, Calif., to Willie and Jamelia Berry... Has one brother (Jordan) and one sister (Ikeya).
