University of Tennessee Athletics
Grant named Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year
December 07, 1999 | Football
Tennessee free safety Deon Grant is the 1999 Associated Press' Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Grant, a junior from Augusta, Ga., led the nation with 9 interceptions during the 1999 campaign and ranked second on the team in tackles with 69, including 50 solo stops. A finalist for this season's Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, Grant ranks fifth on Tennessee's all-time interceptions list with 15.
Grant leads a parade of Vols named to this year's Associated Press All-SEC squad. On offense, quarterback Tee Martin and offensive guard Cosey Coleman, a 1998 first-team selection, were named to the first team, while wide receiver Cedrick Wilson and running back Jamal Lewis were named second-team selections. Center Spencer Riley and receiver Leonard Scott, who was named as a return specialist, were chosen as honorable mention.
The Vols placed four players on the AP's first-team All-SEC defensive squad. Linebacker Raynoch Thompson and defensive tackle Darwin Walker are repeat performers from last season. Defensive end Shaun Ellis and Grant were also first-team picks. Cornerback Dwayne Goodrich was named to the second-team, while punter David Leaverton earned honorable mention.
Grant among five Vols named to The Sporting News' All-America teams
