Knoxville, Tenn. – Freshman linebacker Henry To’o To’o was named to The Athletic’s Freshman All-America team on Thursday.
To’o To’o was a day-one starter at linebacker for the Big Orange and finished third on the team with 64 tackles. 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 named to the 247 True Freshman All-America list on Monday and earned Freshman All-SEC honors on Thursday. To’o To’o was also 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.
The Tennessee football team finished 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the SEC during the 2019 regular season, tying for its best mark in conference play since 2007. Led by head coach Jeremy Pruitt and a 13-member senior class, the Vols rebounded from a 1-4 start to win six of their final seven games and will take a five-game win streak into the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 against Indiana. Tennessee is undoubtedly one of the hottest teams in the nation and collected nine SEC weekly honors during the season, the most since 2004.
Vols newcomer Wanya Morris was also named to the 247 Sports True Freshman All-America and Freshman All-SEC teams, while fellow first-year lineman Darnell Wright was also named to the conference freshman list. Additionally, freshman standouts running back Eric Gray and safety Jaylen McCollough collected National All-Freshmen honorable mention accolades from PFF College.
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