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Midseason First and Second Team All-American Projections

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Airius Moore (58) during the first quarter at Papa John
Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Airius Moore (58) during the first quarter at Papa John /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game 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) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

DE: Derek Barnett (Tennessee)

Derek Barnett will almost certainly earn All-American honors after helping propel Tennessee to SEC contention as a junior. Barnett amassed six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in the Volunteers’ first seven games of the season, consistently putting pressure on offensive tackles and guards. And while Tennessee ultimately fell by 39 points against Alabama, Barnett did manage to track this tipped Jalen Hurts pass:

It resulted in the first interception of Barnett’s college career, showing a maturation to stick with a play that has elevated his play in 2016. An All-SEC second teamer in 2015, Barnett has five more games to bolster his stats further. With all their toughest tests behind the Volunteers, there should be plenty of opportunities for the defensive end to show his dominant side as Tennessee aims for its first division title in over a decade.

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