Tennessee football celebrates another win to start the week. Defensive back Jermod McCoy and running back Dylan Sampson were named to the Associated Press All-America team after dominant seasons on both sides of the ball.
🇺🇸 AP All-America team honors for @Jermodmccoy & @dylans21527#GBO pic.twitter.com/VGdggcPSkD
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 16, 2024
McCoy was the best defensive back on the field for Tennessee and was the best defensive back in the stadium for most of Tennessee's games this year. He capped off his first year on Rocky Top with 39 tackles, one tackle, four losses, and four interceptions. All were career highs for the first-year Vol.
Sampson was one of the best running backs in the country this year. He deserves the Doak Walker Award, or at least to be a finalist, but he was snubbed. He earned All-American honors after rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns as the Vols' offensive leader on the ground.
McCoy and Sampson stepped up as leaders in their first season in productive roles for Tennessee. It was McCoy's first season on Rocky Top and Sampson's first season as RB1 after sitting behind Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small last season.
Their dominance on the field has also opened the door for others to shine. McCoy's coverage and turnover threat in the secondary force opposing quarterbacks to think a bit longer about throwing the ball his way. This allows players across Tennessee's front seven to apply pressure and force mistakes.
Sampson's dominance has helped redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava settle in throughout his first season at Tennessee. It's hard to argue that Tennessee would be in the College Football Playoff without Sampson and the Vols' dominant run game.
This is huge for Josh Heupel and the coaching staff, too. It shows that the Vols coaching staff can develop anyone, whether they come to Tennessee through the transfer portal or straight from high school.