University of Tennessee Athletics
Martin leads seven Vols on Coaches' All-SEC team
December 07, 1999 | Football
 AP Associated Press |
Joining Martin on the SEC's first-team were offensive guard Cosey Coleman, defensive end Shun Ellis, defensive tackle Darwin Walker, linebacker Raynoch Thompson and defensive backs Deon Grant and Dwayne Goodrich.
The Vols also had two players earn second-team All-SEC honors. Running back Jamal Lewis and offensive guard Chad Clifton.
Martin led the Vols to a 22-2 mark as Tennessee's starting quarterback over the past two seasons, including a 13-0 national championship season in 1998. He was undefeated as the Vols' starter in two seasons at Neyland Stadium, compiling a 13-0 record. He passed for 2317 yards this season, completing 165-of-305 passes with 12 touchdowns. He ranked third in the SEC in total offense, amassing 239.5 yards per game.
Coleman, an All-America selection by Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association and the Football News, was the leader on an offensive line that paved the way for the Vols to average over 400 yards of total offense per game in 1999.
The 1999 All-SEC defensive team has a definite orange tint. Thompson, recently named to the AFCA All-America squad, is a repeat performer on the coaches' All-SEC squad. Thompson led the team in tackles for the second consecutive year in 1999 with 87 tackles (51 solo) and is the third Tennessee linebacker to earn first-team All-American honors in as many years.
Grant, a finalist for this year Jim Thorpe Award and a first-team All-America pick by The Sporting News, Football News, AFCA and the FWAA, led the nation in interceptions with nine this season. He ranked second on the team in tackles with 69 (50 solo) and 20 "Big Plays."
Goodrich, the defensive MVP in last year's Fiesta Bowl, intercepted three passes this season, to give him 12 for his career, ranking eighth on the Vols' all-time list.
Ellis led the Vols with 8.5 quarterback sacks (-82 yards) and 11 tackles for loss (-25 yards), while Walker was sixth on the team in tackles, including 8 tackles for loss (-32) and 7 sacks (-44) this season.
