Six Tennessee players were tabbed to the Preseason Coaches All-SEC teams, which were voted on by the league’s 16 head coaches and released by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy was named to the first team while five other Vols were identified as third-team selections in wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, offensive lineman Lance Heard, tight end Miles Kitselman, linebacker Arion Carter and defensive back Boo Carter.
McCoy enters the year widely regarded as one of the nation’s top corners after a breakout sophomore season for the Volunteers that earned him first team All-SEC recognition as well as second team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated.
The Whitehouse, Texas, native, and Thorpe Award semifinalist finished third on the team with 44 total tackles and led the team with 13 passes defended, which ranked fourth in the conference. He also tied for the team lead with four interceptions in 2024, two of which occurred in the end zone and prevented touchdowns.
Brazzell II made a significant impact during his first season on Rocky Top in 2024, playing in all 13 games with nine starts, and enters 2025 as the team’s leading returning wide receiver. The Midland, Texas, native, finished third on the team in receptions (29) and fourth in receiving yards (333) to go along with a pair of touchdown catches last season, none bigger than his game-winning touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter against No. 7 Alabama.
Heard is UT’s lone returning starter on the offensive line from last season’s College Football Playoff team. The junior started all 11 games he played in at left tackle in 2024 after transferring in from LSU. A former five-star recruit, Heard is poised for a strong junior campaign after having a great offseason. The Bonita, Louisiana, native, allowed just two sacks and three quarterback hits in 753 offensive snaps last year according to PFF.
One of the team’s undisputed leaders, Kitselman enters his final collegiate season looking to build off a solid 2024 campaign that saw him start all 13 games at tight end for the Big Orange. The Lyndon, Kansas, native, led the Vols’ tight end unit with 22 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns last year after transferring in from Alabama.
Arion Carter returns for his junior season after starting all 13 games at linebacker in 2024 and leading Tennessee with 68 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. The in-state product also had six pass breakups and an interception to go along with three quarterback hurries as a sophomore to help lead the Volunteers to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
An SEC All-Freshman team selection last year, Boo Carter showcased his impressive instincts and athleticism throughout the 2024 season while emerging as the Vols’ starter at STAR in the second half of the year. The Tennessee native played in all 13 games and made five starts while also demonstrating his impressive playmaking ability as a punt returner, leading the league in punt return average (16.5). Carter finished sixth on the team with 38 total tackles and added three tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and recorded one interception during his debut season on Rocky Top.
The complete Preseason All-SEC teams can be seen HERE.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
Joey Aguilar, QB, Sr.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Chris Brazzell II, WR, R-Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Mackey Award Watch List
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
First Team All-American (AP, Athlon, ESPN, PFF, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Media)
Jaxson Moi, DL, Sr.
Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Star Thomas, RB, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
