Today on Rocky Top: Derek Barnett, Football Recruiting, Lady Vols

Derek Barnett and recruiting in two sports headline the Tennessee Volunteers news on Rocky Top for Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.

Well it looks like Tennessee football has stopped its downward slide with some nice recruiting pickups this week. The Vols got another commit Wednesday, and that is part of our news on Rocky Top for today.

Good recruiting news across the football front is just part of the recruiting news for today. There are also two stories about Derek Barnett to get to.

One is about a screw job of him, and another is good news about recognition he earned.

We’ll get to both of those first.

Here is all the news you need to know about on Rocky Top for today.

Derek Barnett doesn’t win Hendricks Award – Rhiannon Potkey of the Knoxville News Sentinel

"Tennessee junior defensive end Derek Barnett was not selected as the Ted Hendricks Award winner.Alabama senior Jonathan Allen was announced Wednesday as the recipient of the 15th edition of the award, which honors the top defensive end in college football."

Derek Barnett named Sporting News All-American – UTSports

"Tennessee junior defensive end Derek Barnett has been named a 2016 Sporting News Second Team All-American, as announced by Sporting News on Wednesday.The five organizations that are recognized historically for All-America honors are Sporting News, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America and the American Football Coaches Association."

Florida Linebacker Shanon Reid commits to Vols – Ryan Bartow of 247Sports

"Reid, who held 30 verbal offers, said he chose the Volunteers over Iowa State, which finished second.He will enroll early at Tennessee in January."

2018 prospect Amira Collins picks Lady Vols – Dan Fleser of Knoxville News Sentinel

"Amira Collins gave Tennessee a head start Wednesday night on its 2018 women’s basketball recruiting class.The 6-foot-3 junior forward, who’s known as ‘Mimi’, called the Lady Vols coaches with her commitment. She’s a returning starter for Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va., which was ranked No. 1 nationally in the preseason by USA Today."