Irons leads way for Auburn in preseason All-SEC list

July 8, 2006

Justin Graves
The News Courier

Kenny Irons

Auburn’s Kenny Irons added another preseason honor to his list this week when he was named the preseason SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Irons was named a preseason All-American earlier this summer.

Irons – who was also named first-team running back on the All-SEC Offense and rated the No. 1 player in the SEC – was one of six Tigers awarded preseason All-SEC honors.

Offensive lineman Tim Duckworth was named to the second-team All-SEC Offense, while defensive back David Irons, punter Kody Bliss and defensive linemen Quentin Groves and Marquies Gunn were named second-team All-SEC Defense.

Alabama had three players awarded preseason All-SEC honors, including sophomore center Antoine Caldwell who was named to the first-team offense. Caldwell started all 12 games last year as a red-shirt freshman. He was rated as the 23rd best player in the SEC by College Football News.

Offensive lineman Kyle Tatum was named second-team All-SEC Offense and senior defensive lineman Jeremy Clark was named to the second-team defense.

Crimson Tide running back Kenneth Darby was named to the preseason All-SEC Offenses, but was ranked as the 16th best player in the SEC.

Tennessee had six players named to the preseason All-SEC Team.

Leading the Vols on offense was former Russellville lineman Aaron Sears, who was named to first-team All-SEC Offense.

Senior defensive lineman Justin Harrell and junior defensive back Jonathan Bailey were named to the first-team All-SEC Defense for Tennessee.

Vols sophomore running back Arian Foster and kick returner Lucas Taylor were named second-team offense, while defensive lineman Turk McBride was named to the second-team All-SEC Defense.

Sears was ranked as the 7th best player in the SEC for Tennessee, while Foster was selected as the 13th best.

Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis was named the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year.