Eight Vols Make Phil Steele’s All-SEC Pre-Season Teams

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers player A.J. Johnson (45) scores a touchdown against Kentucky Wildcats safety Mikie Benton (31) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday Phil Steele, one of the most well respected minds on college football, released his annual All-SEC teams.

Eight Vols were named the list this year, compared to six Vols last season (Da’Rick Rogers was named to the first team before being removed from Tennessee’s team by Derek Dooley).

Here’s the Vols who earned pre-season honors this year.

First Team

A.J. Johnson – LB – Senior

Daniel McCullers – DT – Senior

Second Team

James Stone – C – Senior

Zach Fulton – OG – Senior

Antonio Richardson – OT – Junior

Third Team

Byron Moore -DB – Senior

Jawuan James – OT – Senior

Fourth Team

Curt Maggit – LB – Junior

The Vols, with four offensive linemen returning, will once again have one of the best O-Lines in the country.

The line will be anchored by tackle Antonio “Tiny” Richardson, a probable first-round draft pick in 2014, if he decides to declare.

Joining him as a possible first round draft pick is linebacker A.J. Johnson, who led the SEC in tackles last season (138). Johnson also rushed for six touchdowns out of the “beast” package last season, which was not seen in spring practice.

It was also nice to see defensive back Byron Moore getting recognized.

Moore stepped up big time last season when safety Brian Randolph went down.

Moore finished the season with 86 tackled and five interceptions. His five interceptions were good enough for eighth in the NCAA.

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