If SEC coaches are right, Florida could be in for a big season. The league football coaches announced preseason voting on Thursday and the defending national champions placed 16 players on the preseason All-SEC squads -- by far the most.
LSU was second with 11 total selections while Alabama and Georgia had nine each. Ole Miss and Tennessee had seven total members on the squads, while Kentucky had six, Vanderbilt five, South Carolina and Arkansas four each, Auburn three and Mississippi State two.
There were just three unanimous selections -- LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones and Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players, thus a unanimous selection earns 11 of 12 first-team votes.
There are 10 first-team pre-season selections that were on last year’s first-team coaches All-SEC post-season team. Those include: quarterback Tim Tebow (Florida), running back Charles Scott (LSU), return specialist Brandon James (Florida), defensive lineman Terrence Cody (Alabama), linebackers Rolando McClain (Alabama), Brandon Spikes (Florida), Rennie Curran (Georgia) and Eric Norwood (South Carolina), Berry and defensive back Trevard Lindley (Kentucky).
The Gators also placed offensive linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey on the first-team offense. Offensive lineman Carl Johnson and running back Jeff Demps were second-team picks on offense for the Gators. Tight end Aaron Hernanez made the thrid squad.
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and defensive back Joe Haden joined Spikes on the first-teamd defense. UF defensive back Ahmad Black made the second squad and the Gators' third-team defensive selections included linebacker Ryan Stamper and defensive backs Janoris Jenkins and Major Wright.
UF's Chas Henry was the first squad punter and Jonathan Phillips was the second-team placekicker.
