Tennessee Vols well represented on Freshman All-SEC squad
Four Tennessee football players were named to the Freshman All-SEC Team, the league announced Thursday afternoon as voted on by the coaches.
Boo Carter was recognized as a defensive back and return specialist. Redshirt-freshman Jalen Smith was appointed at linebacker. Rookie Jordan Ross was honored as a defensive lineman and redshirt-freshman Ethan Davis at tight end.
Carter, a former four-star from Bradley Central High School, took over the nickelback position in a starting capacity midway through the season but received plenty of playing time all year long. The true freshman totaled 35 tackles with one interception and one sack in 12 regular season games and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following the Florida victory when he picked off a pass in the second half.
The athlete played a total of 387 snaps in the regular season with career-high 45 snaps against Alabama on the Third Saturday in October. Carter also excelled as a punt returner when placed in the position midway through the conference slate, averaging 16.5 yards on 12 returns.
Smith, who officially entered the transfer portal this week, saw his role expand as he played in 11 games with 25 tackles, due to the injuries to Keenan Pili and freshman Edwin Spillman. The redshirt-freshman was a part of the four-man rotation for William Inge at linebacker for much of the season, playing a season-high 39 snaps at Georgia and logged 34 snaps two weeks before against Kentucky. Smith played at least 20 defensive snaps in seven games this season and 19 against Florida and totaled 29 tackles with 1.5 TFLs with the Vols the past two years.
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Ross, a former five-star, played in 10 games this season, primarily on special teams. His season-highlight came in the opener against UTC when the rookie blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Ross totaled 17 snaps on defense at the LEO position and finished the year with three tackles and 1.5 TFLs. He is expected to play a large role in the Tennessee defense next fall.
Davis, a redshirt-freshman, was a part of a three-man rotation at tight end this season. Because of the added depth at the position, Tennessee was able to run 12-personnell quite a bit and could lean on that in the playoffs. In 11 games played in the regular season, Davis reeled in 13 catches for 100 yards while finding the endzone against UTC and UTEP in nonconference play. He played a total of 170 offensive snaps, eclipsing the 20-snap count on four occasions.
Carter, Ross and Davis are all currently practicing with the team as the Vols prepare for their College Football Playoff matchup with Ohio State in Columbus next weekend. Smith, who entered the transfer portal, is not with Tennessee and will not play in the postseason.
