UT Vols' linebacker A.J. Johnson Freshman A-A

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Tennessee's A.J. Johnson takes a moment with fans after UT's loss against LSU at Neyland Stadium.

University of Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson was among five Southeastern Conference players selected to the Football Writers Association of American Freshman All-American team announced Monday.

Offensive linemen Reese Dismukes of Auburn and Chaz Green of Florida, defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina and LSU punter Brad Wing were the other SEC selections

Johnson had one of the best rookie seasons in Tennessee history. The starting weakside linebacker racked up 80 tackles, the second-most by a UT true freshman all-time, second only to Eric Berry's 86 in 2007. The Gainesville, Ga., resident led all SEC freshmen in tackles and finished second to senior Austin Johnson (81) for the Vols.

Johnson also was named to Freshman All-America teams by Yahoo! Sports, Phil Steele, The Sporting News and FoxSports. That is a Vols record for most Freshman All-America honors; Berry made four teams in 2007.

Johnson is the only true freshman in Tennessee history to have three games with double-figure tackle totals. He compiled 11 against LSU, 13 against Alabama and 14 versus South Carolina.