It didn’t always look like Derek Barnett, a 4-star in-state defensive lineman/tight end, would stay at home and don the Orange and White. His grandfather, Gerald Kasunic, played for Ohio State in the 1960s and for a while the Buckeyes looked like the most likely destination for Barnett—at least from the outside.

“The first game I attended I knew I was going to be a Vol. That was the LSU game my freshman year in high school. I wasn’t a prospect at the time, but I knew that’s where I was going to be,” Barnett told The Tennessean. He made his commitment to Tennessee official on October 9th and has since visited Rocky Top twice.

The Vols will be replacing six of their top eight defensive lineman Barnett will have a chance to compete for playing time the moment he steps on campus. Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek likes versatile defensive linemen who can play multiple positions up front. He regularly moved defensive ends to tackle last season and often opted to play a four-end front on passing downs. Barnett is well-suited to play either tackle or end and that versatility makes it even more likely that we’ll see him on the field at some point this season.

Though he was recruited to play defensive end/tackle, Barnett has the athleticism to play on both sides of the ball. He will likely end up at tackle but don’t rule out the possibility of seeing him on offense depending on how Tennessee’s young tight ends develop.

The Basics: Rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals, ESPN, Scout, and 247Sports, Barnett is a 6-4, 270 pound defensive end from Brentwood, Tennessee (Brentwood Academy). He is ranked as the No. 152 prospect in the nation and No. 4 prospect in the state by 247Sports Composite. The last two seasons he recorded 118 tackles, 14 TFL, and 11.5 sacks. He chose the Vols over Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, LSU, and others.

Scouting Reports: He is an above average athlete for his size with plus speed and explosiveness. He has soft hands and the frame/strength to be a more than adequate blocker at the tight end position. He’ll probably primarily play defensive tackle at Tennessee once he adds some bulk but he has the first step quickness to slide outside and be effective at end as well.

“Jumbo-athlete type with a good blend of size and athleticism. Good height and bulk and carries his weight well with room for additional good mass with time in a college weight program. Displays slightly above average playing speed and good body control and playing strength. Displays adequate to good first-step quickness… Looks to give good effort on both sides off the ball whether pursuing the play or blocking. Takes good angles in pursuit and is a solid wrap-up tackler who can deliver a pop…A defender best suited for a 4-3 defense, he is listed as a defensive end and could very well develop into and fit better at as a 3-technique and either way offer some versatility along the DL.”—ESPN.com

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