Four Tennessee football players landed on the All-SEC Coaches First Team, the SEC announced Tuesday afternoon.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker, receiver Jalin Hyatt, right tackle Darnell Wright and defensive end Byron Young landed on the first team. Georgia is the only team with more players on the first team while Alabama matched Tennessee’s five.
Hooker is the AP SEC Offensive Player of the Year after totaling 3,565 yards, 32 touchdowns and just two interceptions. The super senior had memorable performances — most notably against Alabama — but didn’t receive an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Hyatt had a massive season and an even more memorable performance against Alabama. The junior slot receiver tallied five of his 15 touchdowns against the Crimson Tide in addition to 1,267 receiving yards. Hyatt is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
More From RTI: Receiver Who Played For Josh Heupel At UCF Enters Portal
Wright landed on the AP All-SEC First Team yesterday after a breakout senior. The former five-star recruit moved from left tackle back to right tackle and played at an elite level this season.
Young was on the AP Second Team after tallying five sacks and 35 tackles on the season. The junior college transfer tallied four of his five sacks in games against Kentucky and LSU. Young totaled 5.5 sacks in 2021 after transferring to Tennessee from junior college.
Tennessee didn’t have a single player land on the All-SEC Coaches Second Team. Center Cooper Mays was the most likely player to earn that honor.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel earned AP SEC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Vols to the program’s best regular season since 2003 in only his second season.
The Vols cap off their 2022 season in the Orange Bowl against No. 7 Clemson. Kick-off between Tennessee and Clemson is at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 30. ESPN is broadcasting the game.
