By Missy Grimes
December 12, 2024
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee football garnered four honorees on the 2024 Freshman All-SEC Team as the league office concluded its awards rollout Thursday.
Tennessee’s four recipients are the program’s most since having four players recognized in 2011. Tight end Ethan Davis, defensive lineman Jordan Ross, linebacker Jalen Smith and defensive back Boo Carter are UT’s representatives on the team, with Carter being recognized at both defensive back and return specialist.
Playing in all 12 games with five starts, Carter total 35 tackles – three tackles for loss – with one sack, one interception and three quarterback hurries at the STAR position. He notched a career-high seven tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a hurry in the Vols’ victory over Florida, which earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors. He emerged as a dangerous punt returner during the season, returning 12 punts for 198 yards, averaging 16.5 yards per return.
Carter is the first UT freshman to receive SEC All-Freshman laurels as a return specialist since Shawn Summers in 1992.
A redshirt freshman, Davis played in 11 games for the Vols in 2024. The physical tight end finished the regular season with 13 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 7.7 yards per catch.
Hailing from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Ross appeared in 10 games for Tennessee during his first year on Rocky Top. The talented true freshman defensive lineman made an immediate impact in game one as he blocked a punt and returned it for a 49-yard touchdown. Ross closed out the regular season with three total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
2024 Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team
Offense
QB
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
RB
Caden Durham, LSU
Jadan Baugh, Florida*
Nate Frazier, Georgia*
WR
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Cam Coleman, Auburn
TE
Ethan Davis, Tennessee
OL
Bradyn Joiner, Auburn
Josiah Thompson, South Carolina
Bryce Lovett, Florida
Malachi Wood, Kentucky
C
DJ Chester, LSU
AP
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Defense
DL
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Colin Simmons, Texas
Jayden Jackson, Oklahoma
Jordan Ross, Tennessee
LB
Jalen Smith, Tennessee
Chris Cole, Georgia*
Myles Graham, Florida*
Demarcus Riddick, Auburn*
DB
KJ Bolden, Georgia
Boo Carter, Tennessee
Zabien Brown, Alabama
Jay Crawford, Auburn
Special Teams
PK
Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt
P
Tyler White, Texas A&M
RS
Boo Carter, Tennessee
KOS
Aeron Burrell, LSU
LS
Gannon Burt, Florida
* – Ties
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 12
DC Tim Banks
Broyles Award Finalist
DB Will Brooks
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
DB Boo Carter
Freshman All-SEC
TE Ethan Davis
Freshman All-SEC
QB Nico Iamaleava
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist
OL Cooper Mays
Rimington Trophy Finalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)
All-SEC Second Team (AP)
WR Bru McCoy
Witten Award Semifinalist
Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist
SEC Community Service Team
DB Jermod McCoy
Thorpe Award Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (AP)
All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)
DE James Pearce Jr.
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (Coaches)
All-SEC Second Team (AP)
LB Keenan Pili
NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
DL Jordan Ross
Freshman All-SEC
RB Dylan Sampson
SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP, Coaches)
USA Today SEC Player of the Year
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
All-SEC First Team (AP, Coaches)
LB Jalen Smith
Freshman All-SEC
OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)
KOS Josh Turbyville
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches)
Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist
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