Three Vols earn AP All-SEC honors

Junior defensive tackle Malik Jackson and sophomore defensive back Prentiss Waggner were named to the Associated Press All-SEC Second Team, while junior tailback Tauren Poole garnered honorable mention accolades, as announced by the AP Monday.
 
Jackson led the Vols with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks, elevating his performance after switching from defensive end to UT’s starting defensive tackle at Georgia. Since the switch, Jackson totaled 34 tackles, 10 TFL, five sacks, three quarterback hurries, three passes defended and an interception. The Van Nuys, Calif., native’s 11 TFLs ranks tied for 10th in the SEC, while his five sacks are tied for the 11th-most in the conference.
 
Waggner earned second team honors after compiling five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns to lead the NCAA FBS in that category and break a UT single-season record. His three fumble recoveries leads the SEC and is tied for third in the FBS, while his eight total takeaways are the most by a Vol since Deon Grant had nine, all INTs, in 1999. Waggner is tied for the UT lead with nine passes defended and ranks fifth with 54 tackles.
 
Poole ran for 994 yards in his first full season as UT’s featured tailback, including six 100-yard games, which is tied for the SEC lead. Poole is just the second UT running back in the last decade to notch six 100-yard rushing games in the same season. The Toccoa, Ga., native is slotted fifth in the conference with 82.8 rushing yards per contest and led UT with 12 total touchdowns.