McNeil Named To Freshman All-SEC Team

Vols defensive back LaDarrell McNeil was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team on Thursday. McNeil started the final seven games for UT and finished with 58 tackles, fifth on the team.

McNeil was the first of two true freshman to start a game for the Vols in 2012. He racked up 55 tackles over the final nine games of the season (6.1 per game). As the starting strong safety, he posted a career-high 10 tackles on two occasions against Kentucky (11/24) and Troy (11/3). He also recovered a fumble against Missouri (11/10) and returned it 33 yards. McNeil’s first start came against Mississippi State (10/13), when he made eight tackles. He also had eight tackles at Vanderbilt (11/17).

Last season, the Vols had four SEC All-Freshman picks.

The entire team is listed below:

2012 FRESHMAN ALL-SEC FOOTBALL TEAM
(*-Ties) (Coaches could not vote for their own players)

FRESHMAN ALL-SEC — OFFENSE

TE –  Jerell Adams, South Carolina

OL –  John Theus, Georgia
D.J. Humphries, Florida
Brandon Shell, South Carolina
Vadal Alexander, LSU

C –   Ryan Kelly, Alabama

WR –  Amari Cooper, Alabama
Mike Evans, Texas A&M

QB –  Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

RB –  Todd Gurley, Georgia
T.J. Yeldon, Alabama

AP –   Trey Williams, Texas A&M

FRESHMAN ALL-SEC — DEFENSE

DL –  Dante Fowler, Florida
Jonathan Bullard, Florida
Issac Gross, Ole Miss
D.J. Pettway, Alabama

LB –  Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
*A.J. Turner, Arkansas
*Otha Peters, Arkansas
*Antonio Morrison, Florida

DB – Jalen Collins, LSU
T.J. Gurley, South Carolina
Rohan Gaines, Arkansas
LaDarrell McNeil, Tennessee

FRESHMAN ALL-SEC – SPECIAL TEAMS

PK –  Andrew Baggett, Missouri

P –  Landon Foster, Kentucky

RS –  Trey Williams, Texas A&M