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TN's most talented player, and the true freshman no one is talking about.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:44 am
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:44 am
Nashville's own, Derek Barnett
He hasn't been given any weekly awards and he wasn't mentioned on ESPN's mid-season All-SEC Freshman Team, however, he ranks second in the conference in TFLs and sixth in the league in sacks recorded.
In fact, through 8 games this season, he's had more TFLs, sacks, and solo tackles than the highly acclaimed Robert Nkemdiche did through 13 games last year. And I'm not trying to belittle Robert, he's clearly an outstanding talent. I'm just offering that up as a comparison.
He hasn't been given any weekly awards and he wasn't mentioned on ESPN's mid-season All-SEC Freshman Team, however, he ranks second in the conference in TFLs and sixth in the league in sacks recorded.
In fact, through 8 games this season, he's had more TFLs, sacks, and solo tackles than the highly acclaimed Robert Nkemdiche did through 13 games last year. And I'm not trying to belittle Robert, he's clearly an outstanding talent. I'm just offering that up as a comparison.
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Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:45 am to Tennessee Jed
Seems legit 
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:46 am to Tennessee Jed
The life of a 3-5 team.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:46 am to Tennessee Jed
Idk if hes better than AJ but hes a great player already.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:48 am to NGATiger
He's definitely more talented than AJ, but AJ is clearly more important to our team right now.
Obviously, that difference being that AJ is a senior, and the leader of our team. Barnett is a true freshman.
Obviously, that difference being that AJ is a senior, and the leader of our team. Barnett is a true freshman.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:52 am to Tennessee Jed
no BUGA, no care
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:56 am to Tennessee Jed
Is he double teamed every down? No? Then this statement is like comparing apples to oranges.
quote:
In fact, through 8 games this season, he's had more TFLs, sacks, and solo tackles than the highly acclaimed Robert Nkemdiche did through 13 games last year. And I'm not trying to belittle Robert, he's clearly an outstanding talent. I'm just offering that up as a comparison.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:00 pm to DingDongEddieStrong
Probably cause Blake Sims kept making him look like a fres.... oh you did say he was freshman.. nvm.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:00 pm to DingDongEddieStrong
RN was not double teamed most of the game against LSU. Didn't hear his name called once. I guess that happens, though, when your team has zero sacks and gives up 260+ on the ground
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:06 pm to DingDongEddieStrong
Barnett has been held like frick all year. There were some hilarious ones on the #oklaholding hashtag way back when that game was played. It got to the point where one the national recruiting analysts said something like after rewatching the game Barnett was held every down and in retrospect Tennessee's OL probably should've tried to hold more (since holding just wasn't being called that game).
But Barnett's simply a beast. And the total surprise of that freshmen class so far. He's the first freshmen we've ever started on DL and he's playing like an upperclassman (I don't even think he was EE). Sky is the limit for him.
But Barnett's simply a beast. And the total surprise of that freshmen class so far. He's the first freshmen we've ever started on DL and he's playing like an upperclassman (I don't even think he was EE). Sky is the limit for him.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:06 pm to Tennessee Jed
Dont think he has gone unnoticed. He is legit and another bright spot on a young talented team. As much as I hate to admit it, I think you guys are finaly heading in the right direction.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:09 pm to Tennessee Jed
He isn't even close to being UT's most talented player. Maybe most underrated, but not close to most talented.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:10 pm to BamaDoc14
quote:
He isn't even close to being UT's most talented player. Maybe most underrated, but not close to most talented.
He didn't have the highest recruiting ranking, if that's what you mean.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:11 pm to Tennessee Jed
I do not think he is the most talented player on the roster.
He is very productive though.
He is very productive though.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:20 pm to volfan30
It can be argued, ranking "talent" across positions is the definition of subjective.
He's certainly in the discussion.
He's certainly in the discussion.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:26 pm to volfan30
I do have to agree that Barnett's not the most talented - hell I'm not sure who is as there are a lot of talented players to choose from and they are talented in different areas so it's difficult to make a direct comparison.
Barnett has tons of production and potential though and he is getting better week to week. He's going to be a super star if he keeps playing the way he has been.
He's already showing up in the top 5 SEC player rankings for various things. (Wish I'd held onto that jpg since I can't currently find it).
Barnett has tons of production and potential though and he is getting better week to week. He's going to be a super star if he keeps playing the way he has been.
He's already showing up in the top 5 SEC player rankings for various things. (Wish I'd held onto that jpg since I can't currently find it).
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:29 pm to Prof
quote:
He's already showing up in the top 5 SEC player rankings for various things. (Wish I'd held onto that jpg since I can't currently find it).
It doesn't matter. He plays in the East, remember?
Stats don't matter unless it is from a West team and it puts them in a favorable light :)
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:39 pm to Ancient Rome
quote:
It doesn't matter. He plays in the East, remember?
Stats don't matter unless it is from a West team and it puts them in a favorable light :)
Do his three sacks at #3 Ole Miss count?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:41 pm to Prof
Thought this was about Hurd. He's a great talent.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 12:46 pm to TheCaterpillar
quote:
Thought this was about Hurd. He's a great talent.
Hurd is making noise to those watching, especially given that every yard he gains is solely due to him (he's literally running through walls to get yards given our OL). He's definitely not one that has slipped the conversation - not like Barnett has. He and Josh Malone are likely our most talented true froshies (that said skills guys are easier to project) and Hurd is farther along than Malone.
Hurd is amazing.
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 12:48 pm
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