Vols : Why You Can’t Run on Tennessee in 2015

Oct 4, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) carries the ball as Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) chases during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Barnett

Derek Barnett is now a Sophomore that came to Tennessee out of Brentwood Academy in Williamson County. He has been the most pleasant surprise of that 2014 recruiting class.

Barnett burst onto the scene at Tennessee last season and terrorized opposing quarterbacks from the first game to the last. He racked up an unbelievable 72 tackles in 2014. He also recorded a freshman record 10 sacks.

Derek is kind of a freak in that he plays the run as well as he rushes the passer. Most can do one or the other. If you watched Jadeveon Clowney at South Carolina, you saw one of the best pass rushers of all time in the SEC. But Clowney was not a run stopper. I believe Barnett will be better than Clowney. Many compare him to the great Reggie White.

Barnett has a quick and powerful first step to begin with. It is no secret that Derek is one of the strongest Vols in the weight room. That is easy to see with his arm strength that helps him shed blockers quickly. In last Saturday’s practice I witnessed one of the prettiest spin moves I have seen when Barnett violently pushed a Vol offensive lineman back then spun out of the blocker’s grasp to get what would be a free shot at the opposing qarterback. This guy is scary good.

Look for Barnett to get back to double digit sacks this season in pursuit of White’s all time school record of 32 total sacks.

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