WATCH: Derek Barnett’s Christmas gift? His first NFL touchdown
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Derek Barnett is having a solid rookie season in the NFL after terrorizing SEC QBs with the Volunteers.
The former All-American DE for the Vols is performing well with the Philadelphia Eagles. Selected No. 14 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Barnett has made an instant impact with the Eagles defense.
Barnett has appeared in all 15 games to begin the season and has 19 total tackles with 5.0 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. One of his fumble recoveries came in the waning seconds against the Oakland Raiders on Christmas Day, and Barnett turned it into a sweet highlight.
Barnett scooped the ball and rumbled 20 yards for a score as time expired. The Eagles were already up three points before the chaos on the last play, but Barnett took the points and finished off a win that gave Philadelphia home field advantage in the NFC during the playoffs.
@TheRenderNFL shared video of Barnett’s play:
[Highlight] Derek Barnett lateral-6 to clinch home field for the Eagles pic.twitter.com/fzcNd9JrWk
— TheRenderNFL (@TheRenderNFL) December 26, 2017
Current Volunteers DT Kahlil McKenzie shared a photo from the game with Barnett and congratulated his former teammate on the big win:
“I was tryna do the Marshawn how it look” neva change brodie @dbarnett25 congrats bruh! #WeBothCold pic.twitter.com/NIshjSI8id
— Kahlil McKenzie Jr. (@Kahlil_Mckenzie) December 26, 2017
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
