AL.com released its 70th annual All-SEC selections on offense on Wednesday, and three Vols made the cut, including a pair on the first team.
Perhaps most surprising is the inclusion of quarterback Joshua Dobbs on the first team. Dobbs will certainly earn his share of preseason accolades, but most publications to this point have been favoring Chad Kelly of Ole Miss, who had a superior year statistically to Dobbs in 2015.
Dobbs had 2,291 yards of passing (59.6% completion), 671 total rushing yard, 26 total touchdowns (rushing and throwing) and five interceptions in 2015. Kelly threw for 4,042 yards (65.1% completion), ran for 500 yards, accounted for 41 touchdowns and threw 13 INTs last season, which was his first as a starter at Ole Miss.
But expectations are high for Dobbs and the UT offense in 2016, so perhaps the voting panel, which consists of the Sports Information Directors from all 14 SEC teams, is looking more ahead and than behind in making that decision.
Guard Dylan Wiesman, a rising senior who is one of the most experienced returning offensive linemen in the league with 36 total game appearances heading into the 2016 season, was UT’s other first-team selection
Running back Jalen Hurd, coming off multiple postseason accolades in 2015, was named to the second team, behind Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Nick Chubb (Georgia), who were both placed on the first team.
Here are the complete selections:
First-team offense
QB: Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
RB: Leonard Fournette, LSU
RB: Nick Chubb, Georgia
WR: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
WR: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
TE: O.J. Howard, Alabama
T: Cam Robinson, Alabama
T: Dan Skipper, Arkansas
G: Greg Pyke, Georgia
G: Dylan Weisman, Tennessee
C: Brandon Kublanow, Georgia
P: JK Scott, Alabama
Second-team offense
QB: Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
RB: Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
RB: Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky
WR: Fred Ross, Mississippi State
WR: Malachi Dupre, LSU
TE: Evan Engram, Ole Miss
T: Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M
T: Mason Zandi, South Carolina
G: Braden Smith, Auburn
G: Alphonse Taylor, Alabama
C: Ethan Pocic, LSU
P: Johnny Townsend, Florida
