Four Tennessee football players were named to the SEC All-Freshman team on Thursday afternoon.
Tennessee’s quartet of impressive freshmen includes tight end Ethan Davis, defensive lineman Jordan Ross, safety Boo Carter, and linebacker Jalen Smith.
Carter was recognized as both a defensive back and return specialist on the All-Freshman roster.
Congrats to the #Vols that earned a spot on the Coaches Freshman All-SEC Team!
📰 » https://t.co/wN0qg0lcFH#GBO pic.twitter.com/vlSSQjxE93
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 12, 2024
Carter, a multi-position phenom on the recruiting scene, turned in a great rookie season for Tennessee’s defense. Carter played in all 12 games for Tennessee this season and racked up five starts across the year, totaling 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and three quarterback hurries. While Carter primarily played the STAR safety position on defense, he also began to emerge as a productive punt return specialist for the Vols’ special teams unit late in the season. Carter tallied 198 yards on 12 punt returns during his freshman regular season.
Carter didn’t break any returns off for a touchdown this past season but came very close on a few occasions.
Jordan Ross was the highest-rated prospect in Tennessee’s 2024 class and appeared in 10 games during his first season in Knoxville. While the Vols have had great depth at the EDGE rusher position this season in front of Ross, the freshman contributor made a mark on special teams this year with a 49-yard punt block scoop ‘n score against Chattanooga in the season opener.
Ross ended the season with three total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Alabama native will continue to have a bigger and bigger role with the Tennessee defense as his career goes on.
JORDAN ROSS.
punt block + TD!
📺 @SECNetwork
📲 https://t.co/1XZqUWvL04 pic.twitter.com/C1ZEFWcypr— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2024
Ethan Davis was part of Tennessee’s revamped tight end room this season alongside Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman and projects to continue being a valuable piece for Josh Heupel’s unit moving forward in his career. Davis played in 11 games this season, nabbing two touchdowns and 100 yards on just 13 catches this season.
Jalen Smith’s listing on the SEC All-Freshman Team is likely his last piece of news at Tennessee. Despite a ramped-up role on the Vols’ defense this season, Smith announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 6. Smith played a big role for Tennessee’s linebacker unit with 34 total tackles on 256 snaps throughout the season.
Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn led the SEC with four All-Freshman selections each. The selections were voted on by the SEC coaches.
For a complete look at the SEC All-Freshman team after it was released on Thursday, click here.
