TENNESSEE
Derek Barnett’s historic sack numbers unmatched in the SEC's history
The SEC has produced many legendary pass-rushers over the years, but none have consistently produced quite like Tennessee’s Derek Barnett.
A UT Twitter account noted that Barnett is the first player in conference history to notch double-digit sacks in three consecutive seasons.
Derek Barnett is the 1st player in @SEC HISTORY with 3 seasons of 10.0 or more sacks 🍊🏈
2016: 10.0
2015: 10.0
2014: 10.0 pic.twitter.com/QWllJpDG4N— Tennessee Stats (@Vol_Stats) November 17, 2016
Barnett will have a chance to add to that season total on Saturday against Missouri. They won’t come easy, however, as Mizzou has allowed the fewest sacks among SEC teams with only 11 in 10 games.
DB should be SEC DPOY. He is first in the league in sacks and tfl’s and doesn’t have the supporting cast on the line to take away double and triple teams. The fact that he isn’t a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski is a joke.
I’m torn between him and Zach Cunningham
Nothing against Barnett he is the best DE in the SEC, but my money is on Cunningham, he is a freak of nature and working with a lot less.
That is the only guy I would be ok with getting the award over Barnett.
Cunningham is a stud and I wouldn’t be against him winning it at all, and one of the main reasons is the same as Barnett, Cunningham doesn’t have the supporting cast to take the attention off of him. Jonathan Allen will probably win it though, but I think Barnett and Cunningham are more deserving.