Behind the Uniform with Zeke Berry - Michigan's Swiss Army DB's hot finish in 24 was no fluke
The Michigan Insider
247Sports, Michigan Football, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan, Michigan athletics, College Football
4.6 • 855 Ratings
🗓️ 26 August 2025
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of Behind the Uniform – Season 3, junior defensive back Zeke Berry is featured as he reflects on his progression throughout the season. Berry discusses his experience beginning the year as the starting nickel, navigating the collective highs and lows with the defense, and ultimately transitioning to a prominent role as cornerback on a highly regarded unit. He highlights how perseverance and adaptability, reinforced by personal faith and mentorship from position coach Lamar Morgan, enabled him to meet early challenges. Berry recounts the matchup against Jeremiah Smith, referencing the touchdown allowed in connection with what he maintains was an uncalled offensive pass interference. The discussion further addresses Smith’s assertion that Ohio State will not lose to Michigan again during his tenure. The conversation then shifts toward financial literacy, as Berry shares insights gained from the "Playbook for Prosperity" seminar conducted by the University of Michigan Credit Union, emphasizing budgeting strategies, as well as from David Himich of The Himich Group at Morgan Stanley regarding long-term financial planning. Concluding the interview, Berry looks forward to the upcoming season, noting the anticipated development of defensive teammates such as TJ Metcalf, Mason Curtis, and Brandyn Hillman, and offering early observations on freshman standout Bryce Underwood.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | We are back folks for another edition of Behind the Uniform, when we go inside the playing careers of the guys who wear the uniform for the maze and blue. |
| 0:26.3 | But we also find out who they are away from the gridiron, who they are when they take off that winged helmet. |
| 0:32.8 | And joining us is a guy who you should know well by now because we talk to him a lot. |
| 0:38.2 | He was on behind the uniform last year and went on to have a standout season. |
| 0:44.5 | It was a journey that had a little adversity to start but ended in a rousing way. |
| 0:50.0 | And I'm talking about young Mr. Zeke. |
| 0:52.9 | Barry. |
| 0:53.3 | Zeke, how you doing? |
| 0:54.0 | He's doing pretty good. |
| 0:55.1 | Man, it's good to see you. |
| 0:57.7 | Excited to see how this season is going to go, |
| 1:00.3 | but we like to start off reflecting |
| 1:03.2 | because I remember last year at this time, |
| 1:06.9 | it was bright-eyed Zeke Barry about the opportunity that was before you to kind of really show what you could do. |
| 1:15.5 | But literally did you know you were going to be able to show what you could do at multiple spots, man. |
| 1:20.9 | So if you could go back and talk to yourself. |
| 1:23.3 | I mean, if you knew then, what would you know now? |
| 1:25.2 | What would you tell yourself about what you were about to experience? I probably would have told myself, you know, not to get too much in my head, you know, about, you know, the whole changing positions thing. You know, telling myself, you know, I'm confident, you know, I got this, you know, even though it's a new position, you know, how you can play. You know, it doesn't matter where you're out on the field, you know, how to play ball. Yeah, pretty much it, you know, keep myself focused and locked in and do what I can, you know, each day to get better. You know, I talk to Rod Moore, who, like you, play safety and nickel. He didn't play corner at all. And he said, man, I don't know if I could |
| 2:03.5 | have done what Zeke Jep did. He said, I don't know my, he said, I mean, trying to play corner. |
| 2:08.6 | He said, that's a different animal. Now, we talked about how you explained that in a lot of ways, |
| 2:14.6 | corner is an easier position mentally. |
| 2:18.3 | It's not easier physically from a speed and quickness perspective, |
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