July 29, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina rover Ko Simpson earned a spot on the preseason first-team all-Southeastern Conference squad as voted by members of the media, the conference office announced today.
Simpson earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year honors from the Associated Press in 2004 and was a Freshman All-America selection by numerous publications. He played in 11 games, ranking third on the team with 61 tackles and leading the SEC with six interceptions. Simpson was recognized as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after returning a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown and getting an interception against Arkansas on Nov. 6. He went on to earn second team all-SEC accolades from both the coaches and the Associated Press.
In addition to tabbing Simpson as a first-team honoree, the media picked South Carolina to finish fourth in the SEC East standings.
FIRST-TEAM ALL-SEC — OFFENSE
TE – Leonard Pope (68) – Georgia
OL – #Marcus McNeill (84) – Auburn
OL – Andrew Whitworth (68) – LSU
OL – Max Jean-Gilles (63) – Georgia
OL – Arron Sears (53) – Tennessee
C – Mike Degory (78) – Florida
WR – Courtney Taylor (55) – Auburn
WR – Chad Jackson (36) – Florida
QB – Chris Leak (66) – Florida
RB – Gerald Riggs, Jr. (62) – Tennessee
RB – Jerious Norwood (57) – Miss. State
FIRST-TEAM ALL-SEC — DEFENSE
DL – Stanley McClover (61) – Auburn
DL – Jesse Mahelona (61) – Tennessee
DL – Parys Haralson (27) – Tennessee
LB – DeMeco Ryans (76) – Alabama
LB – Travis Williams (61) – Auburn
LB – Moses Osemwegie (60) – Vanderbilt
LB – Freddie Roach (34) – Alabama
DB – Jason Allen (77) – Tennessee
DB – LaRon Landry (65) – LSU
DB – Roman Harper (65) – Alabama
DB – Ko Simpson (52) – South Carolina
SEC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
SEC Champion – Tennessee (37), Florida (21), LSU (16), Georgia (6), Auburn (4), Alabama (2), Ole Miss (1).
Eastern Division
1. Tennessee (49)
2. Florida (29)
3. Georgia (9)
4. South Carolina
5. Vanderbilt
6. Kentucky
Western Division
1. LSU (62)
2. Auburn (12)
3. Alabama (12)
4. Arkansas
5. Ole Miss (1)
6. Mississippi State
