The SEC released the 2014 All-SEC freshman team on Thursday and three Vols made the list.
Defensive end Derek Barnett, defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. and offensive lineman Jashon Robertson all made the 2014 All-SEC freshman team.
Barnett, who totaled 10 sacks this season (most ever for a Tennessee freshman) also made the All-SEC second team.
Kelly, a Vol legacy, played in all 12 games this season (he started in three of those games). The Knoxville native finished his freshman campaign with 30 tackles and three interceptions. His three interceptions were the most by a Vol freshman since Eric Berry had three picks in the 2007 season.
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Jashon Robertson was the lone offensive representative on the offensive side of the ball for the Volunteers (running back Jalen Hurd was edged out by LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Georgia’s Nick Chubb).
Robertson, who started his career at Tennessee on the defensive side of the ball, started all 12 regular season games for the Vols this season. He was the first true freshman to start on the offensive line in his first game since Ja’Wuan James in 2010.
All three of the Vols’ All-SEC freshmen representatives are from the state of Tennessee. That’s just another example of how Butch Jones has “owned the state” since his arrival two years ago.
Tennessee is clearly loaded with young talent. With another highly touted class on its way to Rocky Top, it’s only a matter of time before the Vols are competing for the SEC East.