SEC's best players — No. 25 Rico McCoy

TENNESSEE

JUNIOR LINEBACKER

Why he's No. 25: McCoy had a breakout season in 2007, recording 108 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. This speedy defender led UT in tackles in six of 14 games. He had a career-high 14 tackles in a victory over South Carolina and recorded his first career interception against Southern Miss. He has emerged as one of the Vols' biggest playmakers on defense.

Key number: 114. The total number of hits McCoy has had in only two seasons. Most of those hits (106) were recorded last season for the second-team All-SEC selection.

Fun fact: McCoy is the first Tennessee letter winner from the District of Columbia since Lon Herzbrun in 1955-57.