247Sports had extremely kind words for the Vols’ starting defensive ends, naming them both as two of the top four pass rushers in the SEC.
Derek Barnett was named by 247Sports as the top pass rusher in the SEC, while Curt Maggitt was named as the fourth best pass rusher in the SEC.
From 247Sports:
"Barnett burst onto the scene as a true freshman last season with 10 sacks and an amazing 20.5 tackles for loss. He only started 10 games, so he should have more opportunities to make plays in his sophomore season. Barnett is expected to be stronger than ever after having an injured shoulder repaired. Barnett arrived on campus last summer, and still hasn’t been through a spring practice. But his experience in the program – and improved talent around him – should allow him to be more productive than he was last season. As good as he was a year ago, the Tennessee staff has repeatedly said he can get much better. He only had one sack through six games, then got three apiece against Ole Miss and South Carolina in the second half of the season. He got better as the year progressed, and his 18 tackles for loss in SEC play were six more than anyone else in the league. Also, all 10 of his sacks came in conference games. Maggitt may have had more sacks last season, and he may have a higher number this season because of double teams, but Barnett is the one that offensive linemen won’t want to face because of his motor and physicality."
The Vols could potentially have the SEC’s best defensive line in 2015.
Especially when you consider the addition of newcomers Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie along the defensive line.
Plus there’s also Kyle Phillips, Andrew Butcher and Quay Picou, among others.
Vols defensive line coach Steve Stripling certainly has plenty of weapons to go after opposing SEC quarterbacks this upcoming season.