Eight SEC players were named All-Americans Wednesday by the American Football Coaches Association, including an eye-popping six defenders.
And the conference could have made it even more, except for the coaches pushing for a couple of key Clemson players.
Alabama led the charge with linebacker C.J. Mosley, cornerback Dee Milliner and offensive guard Chance Warmack. But top center Barrett Jones was supplanted by Clemson snapper Dalton Freeman.
Texas A&M landed a pair with defensive end Damontre Moore and offensive tackle Luke Joeckel, though Heisman candidate Johnny Manziel – a redshirt freshman – was outvoted at quarterback by Clemson veteran Tajh Boyd.
Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, LSU safety Eric Reid and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney rounded out the SEC’s hefty representation on the defensive side of the ball.