Trio of Vols Named to the 2023 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team

August 22, 2023 | Football

By: Sean Barows

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the 2023 football season opener approaches, the Vols continue to pick up more accolades as the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team was released on Tuesday afternoon with three Tennessee players on the list.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy landed second team honors after a breakout campaign last season. The California native started all 12 games he played in and ranked second on the team in receiving behind Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt, totaling 52 catches for 667 yards and four touchdowns. McCoy averaged 12.8 yards per catch on the year and his 52 receptions ranked 12th in the SEC. He also posted three 100-yard receiving games. McCoy was tabbed a second-team preseason All-SEC selection by the media back in July.

Rounding out the Tennessee selections on the third team were senior offensive guard Javontez Spraggins and senior center Cooper Mays. The veteran duo returns to the offensive line with 49 combined starts between them. Both Spraggins and Mays were preseason All-SEC third team selections by the media, as well.

During the 2022 season, Mays started all 13 games at center and did not allow a sack in the final five games of the year. The Knoxville native has totaled 31 games played and 23 career starts with the Vols. Meanwhile, Spraggins proved to be one of the top offensive lineman in the SEC last year, starting all 13 games at right guard while paving the way for the nation's No. 1 scoring and total offense.

The complete Preseason Coaches All-SEC team can be found at the SEC's website by clicking HERE.

UT opens its 2023 season against Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, Sept. 2. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT (noon ET) on ABC. The game is being presented by Nissan.

2023 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Sr. DE Tyler Baron
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Sr. LB Aaron Beasley
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
All-SEC Second Team (Lindy's)
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon)

Sr. OL Cooper Mays
Rimington Trophy Watch List
All-SEC Second Team (Lindy's)
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches, Media)
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Sr. WR Bru McCoy
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Coaches, Media, Phil Steele)

Sr. QB Joe Milton III
Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
All-SEC Third Team (Media, Phil Steele)

R-Sr. LB Keenan Pili
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List

Sr. RB Jabari Small
Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate List

Sr. OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Second Team (Lindy's)
All-SEC Third Team (Coaches, Media)

Sr. DL Omari Thomas
All-SEC First Team (Lindy's)

R-Sr. TE Jacob Warren
Mackey Award Watch List
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee

So. WR Squirrel White
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)

Sr. RS Dee Williams
All-American Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Jr. RB Jaylen Wright
Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate List
All-SEC Third Team (Lindy's)
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)