University of Tennessee Athletics
Barnett Named AP All-American
December 12, 2016 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee junior defensive end Derek Barnett has been named to the 2016 Associated Press All-America college football First Team, as announced by the AP on Monday.
2016 Season Honors
ALL-AMERICA
- Associated Press - First Team
- Walter Camp - First Team Team
- Sporting News - Second Team
- Sports Illustrated - First Team
- USA TODAY Sports - First Team
- Pro Football Focus - First Team
- College Sports Madness - First Team
ALL-SEC
- SEC Coaches - First Team
- AP - First Team
- Athlon - First Team
Barnett is Tennessee's first AP First Team All-American since Eric Berry earned First Team honors in 2009. He is also the first Vol to earn All-America honors as a position player for one of the five historic All-America Teams since 2009 when Berry earned First Team All-America for the AP, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sporting News, Football Writers Association of American and the American Football Coaches Association and Dan Williams earned AP Third Team All-America.
The five organizations that are recognized historically for All-America honors are Sporting News, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America and the American Football Coaches Association.
Barnett was named to the 2016 Walter Camp All-America First Team on Dec. 8 and he received 2016 Sporting News Second Team All-American honors on Dec. 7. He has also earned 2016 First Team All-America honors by USA TODAY Sports, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Focus and College Sports Madness.
Barnett is also a 2016 First Team All-Southeastern Conference Coaches selection and a 2016 Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference First Team pick.
Barnett is a Top 20 candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award. He is enjoying the best season of his career and has secured his spot in history as one of the greatest defensive ends in Tennessee, SEC and NCAA football history. On Nov. 26, Barnett recorded the 32nd sack of his career, tying the late great Reggie White for the most sacks in Tennessee history. On the season, he amassed 50 tackles, a career-high 12.0 sacks, 18.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, one interception and 12 quarterback hurries. His 12.0 sacks are tied for the sixth-most in the nation and his 18.0 tackles for loss ranks 15th nationally. Barnett's 32.0 career sacks are the second-most of all active NCAA FBS players and his 51.0 career tackles for loss are tied for the most.
