UK's Lindley first-team All-SEC

Herald-Leader Staff Report

External Links

Six University of Kentucky football players, led by first-team selection Trevard Lindley, were named All-Southeastern Conference in pre-season voting by the league's coaches announced Thursday.

UK senior linebacker Micah Johnson was chosen to the All-SEC second team. Junior quarterback Mike Hartline, senior offensive lineman Zipp Duncan, senior center Jorge Gonzalez and senior defensive lineman Corey Peters were named to the third team.

Defending SEC and national champion Florida had a league-high 16 players chosen. LSU had 10 total selections, and defending Western Division champion Alabama and Georgia had nine each.

Florida led the way with eight players selected on the first team while Alabama had six and LSU had three.

There were only three unanimous selections to this year's pre-season squad — LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones and Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players, so 11 of 12 first-team votes was considered unanimous.

Lindley, a senior defensive back from Hiram, Ga., was a second-team All-American last season and a consensus first-team All-SEC choice. He had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups, leading the SEC in pass breakups per game. He holds the UK career record for pass breakups with 34.

Johnson, from Fort Campbell, was a first-team coaches' All-SEC pick in 2008 after making 93 tackles despite missing 21/2 games because of injury.

Hartline, from Canton, Ohio, completed 55.3 percent of his passes last season for 1,666 yards and nine touchdowns. He was UK's Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over East Carolina.

Duncan, from Magnolia, was a key part of the UK offensive line that ranked fourth in the nation last season in fewest quarterback sacks allowed. After starting every game the past two seasons at guard, he will shift to left tackle this season.

Gonzalez, from Tampa, Fla., was named the team's Most Improved Offensive Player by UK coaches for the 2008 season.

Peters, from Louisville, made 36 tackles last season, including 10 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks.