Derek Barnett continues to assault the freshman record book after another huge performance in Tennessee’s 50-16 win over Kentucky on Saturday night.
The true freshman finished with seven tackles, two sacks and four TFLs against the Wildcats, expanding his UT freshman record for sacks in a single season (9) and TFLs (18). He also surpassed former South Carolina great Jadeveon Clowney, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, in sacks during a freshman season (8).
Barnett now sits at second all-time in sacks in a season by an SEC freshman, behind only Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett (who entered Saturday night with 11 sacks on the season).
Saturday was Barnett’s third multi-sack effort of the season. He had three, a single-game record for a UT freshman, against both Ole Miss and South Carolina.
“He gets better and better and he’s been nicked up and bruised up and he just keeps on coming,” said coach Butch Jones. “High, high character…can’t say enough about him, not only what he brings on the field, but what he brings in the locker room.”
Barnett was named the SEC’s defensive lineman of the week for his performance against Kentucky.
Congrats to @dbarnett25, named @SEC Defensive Lineman Of The Week (7 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks)http://t.co/dGOCoAlfVw pic.twitter.com/8lNXimwzUj
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 18, 2014
