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SEC Football: Top 100 SEC players to watch in 2016

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) runs the ball against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Derek Barnett (9) in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) runs the ball against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Derek Barnett (9) in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Barnett 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 13
  • Tackles: 69
  • Tackles for Loss: 12.5
  • Sacks: 10
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Pass Breakups: 1
  • Forced Fumbles: 1
  • Fumble Recoveries: 1
  • Notable: Ranked No. 4 among SEC football players in sacks in 2015. Also recorded a safety.

The Tennessee Vols will enter the 2016 season with the highest expectations the program has faced in over a decade. With 18 starters returning from the team that won nine games for the first time since 2007, the Vols are likely to be the favorites in the SEC East and should pose the biggest threat in Alabama’s quest for three straight SEC titles.

A major reason for the optimism in Knoxville comes with the news that linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cam Sutton decided to return to school instead of becoming early entrants in the NFL Draft, but Tennessee’s best defender isn’t yet eligible to play on Sundays.

Defensive end Derek Barnett exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2014 with ten sacks in 13 games, and he repeated that production as a sophomore last season. The 6-foot-3, 267-pound Barnett added 69 total tackles, including 12.5 for a loss, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and recorded a safety.

If Tennessee is able to make the jump into the SEC’s elite in 2016, expect Barnett to be front in center.

Next: Christian Kirk

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