The SEC announced the results of the media’s voting for preseason conference honors on Friday morning.
As expected, the media picked the Gators to finish a distant second in the East behind Georgia. Additionally, defensive lineman Zachary Carter and cornerback Kaiir Elam were named First Team All-SEC, while linebacker Ventrell Miller was named to the second team and wide receiver Jacob Copeland to the third team.
Georgia received 124 of 134 first-place votes in the East. Florida garnered seven. Two media members picked Kentucky to win the division, while one went with South Carolina.
Meanwhile, Alabama received 130 of 134 first-place votes in the West.
Overall, 84 voters selected Alabama to win the SEC Championship and 45 picked Georgia. UF received one vote.
The Gators won the East last season, but most of the offensive firepower from that team is gone, and questions abound on defense. That’s made the Bulldogs the overwhelming favorite in the East entering the season.
Here is the complete preseason poll:
EASTERN DIVISION
Georgia (124) | 923 |
Florida (7) | 784 |
Kentucky (2) | 624 |
Missouri | 555 |
Tennessee | 362 |
South Carolina (1) | 355 |
Vanderbilt | 149 |
WESTERN DIVISION
Alabama (130) | 932 |
Texas A&M (1) | 760 |
LSU (1) | 633 |
Ole Miss (1) | 529 |
Auburn | 440 |
Arkansas (1) | 241 |
Mississippi State | 217 |
SEC CHAMPION
Alabama (84) | 84 |
Georgia (45) | 45 |
Ole Miss (1) | 1 |
Texas A&M (1) | 1 |
Florida (1) | 1 |
Kentucky (1) | 1 |
South Carolina (1) | 1 |
Elam was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC First Team and the Associated Press All-SEC Second Team following the 2020 season. He started all 12 games and intercepted a pair of passes and broke up 11 more. Earlier this week, he was named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in the country.
Carter started 11 games last season and brings versatility to the defense with his ability to play end and tackle. He led the team with five sacks and 9.5 tackles-for-loss last season and returned a fumble for a touchdown. He was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after posting season highs of eight tackles and 1.5 sacks against South Carolina.
Miller started 10 games at middle linebacker in 2020 and led the team with 88 tackles. He also contributed 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles-for-loss. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after racking up 15 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in the opener at Ole Miss.
Copeland enters his redshirt junior season as the most productive and experienced returning wide receiver on the roster. He’s caught 45 passes for 724 yards and five touchdowns in his career. He’ll look to match or exceed those numbers this fall as the Gators’ go-to receiver.
Here’s the complete Preseason All-SEC Team:
OFFENSE
First-Team
QB – Matt Corral, Ole Miss
RB – Tank Bigsby, Auburn
RB – Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
WR – John Metchie III, Alabama
WR – Treylon Burks, Arkansas
TE – Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
OL – Evan Neal, Alabama
OL – Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
OL – Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
OL – Cade Mays, Tennessee
C – Nick Brahms, Auburn
Second-Team
QB – JT Daniels, Georgia
RB – Kevin Harris, South Carolina
RB – Zamir White, Georgia
WR – Kayshon Boutte, LSU
WR – George Pickens, Georgia
TE – Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
OL – Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
OL – Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama
OL – Ed Ingram, LSU
OL – Austin Deculus, LSU
C – Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Third-Team
QB – Bo Nix, Auburn
RB – Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama
RB – Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
WR – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
WR – Jacob Copeland, Florida
TE – Nick Muse, South Carolina
OL – Charles Cross, Mississippi State
OL – Nick Broeker, Ole Miss
OL – Myron Cunningham, Arkansas
OL – Luke Fortner, Kentucky
*C – Michael Maietti, Missouri
*C – Ben Brown, Ole Miss
DEFENSE
First-Team
DL – Jordan Davis, Georgia
DL – Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
DL – Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
*DL – Zachary Carter, Florida
*DL – DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
LB – Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
LB – Christian Harris, Alabama
LB – Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
DB – Derek Stingley, LSU
DB – Josh Jobe, Alabama
DB – Malachi Moore, Alabama
DB – Kaiir Elam, Florida
Second-Team
DL – Josh Paschal, Kentucky
DL – LaBryan Ray, Alabama
DL – Ali Gaye, LSU
DL – Trajan Jeffcoat, Missouri
LB – Grant Morgan, Arkansas
LB – Ventrell Miller, Florida
LB – Zakoby McClain, Auburn
DB – Smoke Monday, Auburn
DB – Jordan Battle, Alabama
DB – Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
DB – Elias Ricks, LSU
Third-Team
DL – DJ Dale, Alabama
DL – Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M
DL – Travon Walker, Georgia
DL – Derick Hall, Auburn
LB – Owen Pappoe, Auburn
LB – Nakobe Dean, Georgia
LB – Christopher Allen, Alabama
DB – Roger McCreary, Auburn
DB – Lewis Cine, Georgia
DB – Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
DB – Yusuf Corker, Kentucky
SPECIALISTS
First-Team
P – Jake Camarda, Georgia
PK – Cade York, LSU
RS – Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
AP – Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
Second-Team
P – Paxton Brooks, Tennessee
PK – Will Reichard, Alabama
RS – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
AP – Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Third-Team
P – Mac Brown, Ole Miss
PK – Anders Carlson, Auburn
RS – Kearis Jackson, Georgia
AP – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
* – Indicates a tie