The SEC released its three Preseason Coaches All-SEC teams Tuesday afternoon and six Tennessee football players made the cut. It was a major step up for Tennessee compared to the media preseason All-SEC teams when just three Vols made the three teams.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy was the only Tennessee player on the first team while receiver Chris Brazzell, tight end Miles Kitselman, offensive tackle Lance Heard, linebacker Arion Carter and defensive back Boo Carter were all on the third team.
There’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding three of the six Tennessee players on the preseason All-SEC teams entering the season. McCoy is still working his way back after tearing his ACL at the beginning of the offseason and is poised to miss the beginning of the season.
A minor knee injury sidelined and limited Brazzell earlier in fall camp. The former Tulane transfer returned to the practice field last week and should be ready to roll for the start of the season. Carter’s status with the team remains day-to-day after he missed a multitude of offseason workouts. Josh Heupel has not been keen on giving real updates on Carter’s status and it’s unclear whether he’ll be available for the season opener against Syracuse.
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McCoy is coming off a stellar sophomore season at Tennessee where he proved to be one of the SEC’s best cornerbacks. The Oregon State transfer totaled four interceptions, often game changing, while adding seven pass breakups and 44 tackles.
Brazzell was also a first-year Vol a season ago after transferring in from Tulane. The 6-foot-5 receiver caught 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. One of those two touchdowns was a go-ahead snag in the fourth quarter of the Vols’ win over Alabama.
Heard is another second-year transfer. He had an up-and-down first season starting at left tackle for Tennessee after transferring in from LSU. There’s a good deal of hype around Heard entering his junior season.
Arion Carter led Tennessee with 68 tackles in addition to six pass breakups and one interceptions as a sophomore a season ago and is looking to take another step forward in his junior season. Boo Carter was a part-time starter at STAR a season ago where he flashed his natural talent.
McCoy, Arion Carter and Boo Carter were the three Tennessee players that made the three Preseason Media All-SEC teams.
