July 20, 2005

Birmingham, Ala. – South Carolina sophomore rover Ko Simpson was named a first-team preseason all-conference honoree by the Southeastern Conference coaches, the league office announced Wednesday.

Simpson was joined on the preseason all-SEC squad by offensive tackle Na’Shan Goddard, who was a second-team selection, offensive tackle Jabari Levey, who was recognized with a spot on the third team and kicker Josh Brown, who also garnered third-team honors.

Widely recognized as one of the top safeties in the country this preseason, Simpson comes off a freshman season in which he led the SEC and ranked third nationally with six interceptions. He also recovered three fumbles and scored two defensive touchdowns in 2004.

One of the top offensive tackle duos in the SEC, Goddard and Levey figure to be the anchors on the Gamecock offensive line in 2005.

Brown’s placekicking stats match up favorably with his counterparts around the league, as he is the fourth-leading scorer returning in the SEC from a year ago and had the second-highest field goal percentage among kickers returning in the conference. In addition to being a two-time selection as SEC Special Teams Player of the Week last season, Brown was named to the SEC’s Fall Sports Academic Honor Roll in 2004.