KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee linebacker Henry To’o To’o and offensive lineman Wanya Morris were named to the 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team on Monday.
To’o To’o and Morris have had standout freshman seasons for the Vols this season, helping lead one of the nation’s most impressive mid-season turnarounds as UT won its final five games to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.
To’o To’o was a day-one starter at linebacker for the Big Orange and finished third on the team in tackles with 64. He also added five tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and a half a sack.
The Sacramento, Calif., native was on the FWAA Freshman All-America Midseason Watch List and The Athletic Midseason Freshman All-America Team. He was named to the PFF College National Team of the Week and PFF College SEC Team of the Week for his performance in a 30-7 win over UAB on Nov. 2.
In his collegiate debut, To’o To’o led the Vols with seven tackles to become the first UT freshman since 1996 to lead the team in tackles in a season opener. He played in all 12 games while making 11 starts and became the first Tennessee true freshman since 2011 to start at linebacker in a season opener.
On the offensive side of the ball, Morris was a staple on the Vols’ offensive line, making 11 starts and playing in all 12 games. He became the first Tennessee true freshman to start on the offensive line in a season opener since Trey Smith did so in 2017. They are the only two Vol freshmen to start at left tackle in the last 30 years. Smith was also the last UT player to earn True Freshman All-America status from 247Sports, doing so in 2017.
Like To’o To’o, Morris was also named to the 2019 FWAA Freshman All-America Midseason Watch List and The Athletic Midseason Freshman All-America Team.
The Savannah, Ga., native helped pave the way for a season-high 526 yards of total offense against Missouri, which entered the game with one of the nation’s top defensive lines and ranked 10th in the nation in total defense and had the SEC’s top pass defense.
Tennessee will take on Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.
Fans interested in a premium travel package, including hotel stay, game ticket, reception, bowl souvenir and game day transportation can visit VolSportsTravel.com. Tickets can be purchased at the Gator Bowl website (TaxSlayerGatorBowl.com) by clicking HERE.
Gray & McCollough Earn PFF College All-Freshman Honors
Running back Eric Gray and safety Jaylen McCollough were recognized as honorable mention selections for the PFF College All-Freshman Team.
McCollough saw his role expand as the year went on, starting the final five games at safety. The Powder Springs, Ga., native racked up 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack on the season. He was named to the PFF College SEC Defensive Team of the Week following his performance against UAB.
Gray displayed flashes of his potential throughout the season and had a breakout game in the regular season finale, rushing for 246 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in a 28-10 win over Vanderbilt.
The Memphis native captured SEC Freshman of the Week honors for his performance. His 246 rushing yards are the fifth-most ever by a Vol and the highest rushing total ever by a Tennessee true freshman.
Behind touchdown runs of 94 and 56 yards, Gray ran for 181 yards in the first half against the Commodores, marking the second-most rushing yards in a half by a UT player in program history. His 94-yard run was the second-longest in school history, tied for the 10th-longest rushing score in SEC history and is the longest touchdown run by a true freshman in SEC history.
For the year, Gray finished with 453 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 87 attempts and pulled in 11 receptions for 81 yards and a score.
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