Dec. 7, 2006

Tennessee redshirt freshman center Josh McNeil was the only player to be a unanimous selection to the seventh annual SEC Coaches All-Freshman Team as announced by the Southeastern Conference office. The Volunteers were one of seven league teams to place three players on the team as tailback LaMarcus Coker and linebacker Rico McCoy were also named to the squad.

All 12 schools were represented with Kentucky leading the way with four selections. SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Championship Game MVP Percy Harvin of Florida also received a spot on the annual listing.

McNeil made eight starts in 11 games, taking over the starting position in the fifth game of the season against Memphis. He was part of an offensive line unit that allowed only 17 sacks (third-fewest in the league) against 378 pass attempts (second-most in the league). The Collins, Miss., native was also named Freshman All-America by Rivals.com.

One of the most explosive runners in the conference was Coker who finished the regular season as the leading freshman rusher and seventh overall among SEC ball carriers with average of 66.0 yards per game. He rushed for a season-high 146 yards that included the third-longest rush in UT history when he broke free for an 89-yard TD. The Antioch native became first player in UT history to have two runs over 80 yards when he ran 87 yards for a score against Vanderbilt. He was also named second team Freshman All-America by Rivals.com.

McCoy Saw his first collegiate action in win over California garnering two tackles. He played in all 12 games, registering 36 tackles (27 solo). The Washington, D.C., native posted solid performances in the final two games of the season by making three tackles for loss against Vanderbilt followed by a career-high nine tackles and forced fumble versus Kentucky.

The entire team is listed below:

2006 FRESHMAN ALL-SEC FOOTBALL TEAM
(*-Ties / #-Unanimous Selection / Coaches could not vote for their own players)