Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett has vaulted himself into rarified air after a strong performance this past weekend versus South Carolina:

After accruing 3.0 sacks, Barnett has 29.0 for his career. He now has the most among all current FBS players — including 26.0 in conference play.

Barnett has shined for the Tennessee program dating back to his freshman year. He set a program record for the most tackles-for-loss (20.5) and sacks (10.0) for a first-year player. Barnett then accrued 10.0 sacks last year as a sophomore.

During this campaign, Barnett has a team-leading 9.0 sacks, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, and seven quarterback hurries.

There’s a real possibility Barnett will forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Should he do that, Barnett may go down as the best defensive end to play at Tennessee since the late great Reggie White.

In four years, White notched 32.0 sacks. Barnett needs 3.0 sacks to tie the record, and 3.5 to hold the mark. Should he return for a senior season (barring injury), Barnett will almost certainly break the school record.