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Tennessee Vols Defensive End Derek Barnett a Bednarik Award Semifinalist

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Volunteers junior end Derek Barnett is a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award for top defensive player in college football.

As bad as things have been for Tennessee football the past four weeks, there have been a few bright spots. And Derek Barnett is one of them.

In fact, Barnett’s play makes the three-game losing streak even more frustrating. The Vols are wasting an awesome year by him.

The junior is now one of 18 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, as announced by Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski Monday afternoon. 

Barnett now has nine sacks on the year, tied for first in the nation with Harold Landry of Boston College, Koron Crump of Arizona State, Ejuan Price of Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, he is tied with Randy Allen for third in the nation in tackles for a loss with 14 and a half.

At the same time, he is three sacks away from reaching Reggie White’s school record for career sacks. And he could do it in one less year.

Derek Barnett has been dominating all season, and all nine of his sacks have come in the past five games.

At this point, he has a chance to go down as the best defensive lineman in Tennessee football history. He joins legends like White, Leonard Little, and John Henderson.

Last week, he had three sacks against the South Carolina Gamecocks. His stats also include two sacks against both the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs.

He also got a strip-sack for a touchdown against the Dawgs.

And he had a sack against both the Texas A&M Aggies and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

So while the Vols have had lots of disappointments over the past few weeks, Barnett is a superstar who has been one consistent bright spot. And with four games left, he could easily etch himself into Tennessee and college football lore.

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