University of Tennessee Athletics
Barnett Named Sporting News All-American
December 07, 2016 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee junior defensive end Derek Barnett has been named a 2016 Sporting News Second Team All-American, as announced by Sporting News on Wednesday.
2016 Season Honors
ALL-AMERICA
- Sporting News - Second Team
- Pro Football Focus - First Team
- College Sports Madness - First Team
ALL-SEC
- SEC Coaches - First Team
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.
This year's Sporting News Second Team All-America honor is Barnett's first major All-America (First Team or Second Team) recognition of his career. He was previously a Sporting News Freshman All-American in 2014.
Barnett has also earned 2016 First Team All-America honors by Pro Football Focus and College Sports Madness.
On Tuesday, Barnett was named to the First Team All-Southeastern Conference Coaches Football Team, marking his third-consecutive year earning All-SEC coaches honors. He is also a Top 20 candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award.
Barnett is enjoying the best season of his career and has secured his spot in history as one of the greatest defensive ends in Tennessee, SEC and NCAA football history. On Nov. 26, he recorded the 32nd sack of his career, tying the late great Reggie White for the most sacks in Tennessee history. On the season, he amassed 50 tackles, a career-high 12.0 sacks, 18.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, one interception and 12 quarterback hurries. His 12.0 sacks are tied for the sixth-most in the nation, his 18.0 tackles for loss rank 15th nationally and both totals lead the SEC. Barnett's 32.0 career sacks are the second-most of all active NCAA FBS players and his 51.0 career tackles for loss are tied for the most.
