Mizzou Tigers Make All-SEC Football Team

Seven Mizzou Tigers have been named to the AP All-SEC football team, including SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam.

First Team

OL Justin Britt – A three-year starter, Britt led an offensive line that paved the way for a Mizzou rushing attack that averaged 236.5 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry.

DE Michael Sam – The senior burst onto the scene in his first year as a full-time starter, compiling an SEC-best 10.5 sacks en route to earning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. Sam recorded three 3.0 sack games this season and was the only player in the nation to do so. In total, the defensive end had 18 tackles for a loss. He also scored a touchdown when he scooped up a fumble against Georgia and ran it 21 yards to the house.

DE Kony Ealy – The junior had a terrific season as he finished the year tied for fifth in the SEC with 7.0 sacks. When he wasn’t getting to the quarterback, he was stopping other offensive players in the backfield for a total of 12.5 tackles for a loss. Ealy even made an ultra-athletic interception against Indiana in which he snagged the pass before it got past the line of scrimmage and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown.

DB E.J. Gaines – There were big expectations surrounding the three-year starter going into this season, and he exceeded them. Gaines was picked as a second-team All-SEC performer in the preseason, but his four interceptions and 68 total tackles landed him on the first team. He also scored an 11-yard touchdown in the SEC Championship game against Auburn on a fumble recovery.

Second Team 

WR Dorial Green-Beckham – The 6’6” receiver broke out in his sophomore season and proved that he is not only one of the best receivers in the SEC, but also one of the most electrifying athletes in the entire country. Green-Beckham finished the season with 55 receptions, 830 yards and a league-best 12 touchdowns. His signature game came against Kentucky in which he hauled seven balls for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

LB Andrew Wilson – The senior led Mizzou in tackles and was sixth in the SEC with 98. Wilson patrolled the middle of the field for the Tigers and was instrumental in a defense that forced at least one turnover in 12 of 13 games and led the SEC with 29 total turnovers.

Honorable Mention

DE Markus Golden – After playing linebacker in his first year at Mizzou, Golden made the switch to defensive end before the start of the season—and transitioned flawlessly. The junior’s 6.5 sacks were the eighth highest total in the SEC, and his 12 tackles for a loss were fourth in the conference. He also tied for fourth in the conference in fumbles recovered, with two. And of course, Mizzou’s unblemished nonconference record might not have been possible if it weren’t for Golden’s 70-yard interception return for a touchdown against Toledo that preserved Mizzou’s shrinking lead and propelled them to a 38-23 victory.