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2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Dec. 30-31 Bowls

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Derek Barnett
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Music City Bowl: Derek Barnett (DE – Tennessee)

When all is said and done, Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett could be a top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. However Barnett will be looking to make history first. If he can record even half a sack against Nebraska in the Music City Bowl, Barnett will surpass Reggie White as the all-time sack leader in Tennessee history.

The junior defender has amassed double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons at Tennessee and is expected to make the jump to the NFL after this season. Barnett possesses a very good burst off the snap, and as seen in the play below, has the quickness to beat a pulling guard to the point of attack.

Barnett may not receive the hype that Myles Garrett or Tim Williams do out of the SEC, but he may be the most well-rounded of the group. As solid as Barnett has been as a pass rusher, he’s equally as skilled against the run. The fact that Tennessee has been riddled with major injuries on the defensive side of the ball, including cornerback Cameron Sutton and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, makes what Barnett has accomplished this season even more impressive.

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