Derek Barnett has been snubbed as a potential finalist for several postseason awards, but he is one of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award – given to the top defensive end in college football.
Barnett finished the regular season with a league-high 12 sacks along with 50 tackles, 18 TFLs, two forced fumbles, an interception and 12 quarterback hurries. He tied Reggie White’s school record for career sacks as well, needing just one more in the bowl game to hold that mark on his own.
Barnett joins Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Hunter Dimick (Utah), Harold Landry (Boston College), Ejuan Price (Pittsburgh) and DeMarcus Walker (Florida State) on the list of finalists.
The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 7.
Here’s how the finalists stack up in sacks:
Walker: 15
Landry: 15
Barnett: 12
Dimmick: 12
Price: 12
Allen: 7
UT pushed Barnett for several postseason awards with promotional material given to the media at the final home game:
UT media relations are promoting Derek Barnett big time today. A promotional flyer and now this notepad: pic.twitter.com/2jiSEf8iDK
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) November 19, 2016
