BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Four University of Florida football players were named to the 2014 Preseason All-SEC Teams, as voted on by a record 293 media members at SEC Media Days this year. Offensive lineman Chaz Green, defensive lineman Dante Fowler, Jr., defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III and wide receiver/return specialist Andre Debose were selected to the teams. In addition, the Gators were voted to finish third in the SEC Eastern Division.
Fowler and Hargreaves were named to the first-team defense, while Debose was selected as the second-team return specialist and Green was named to the third-team offense and. Both Debose and Green are returning to action after missing all of the 2013 season due to injury.
A junior from St. Petersburg, Fla., Fowler has made appearances in 25 games with 13 starts in his career. He has totaled 80 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss and six sacks in his two seasons with the Gators. Last season, he led UF with 10.5 tackles-for-loss and ranked second on the squad with 3.5 sacks.
Hargreaves, a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., appeared in every game during his debut season with the Orange and Blue, including 10 starts. The Freshman All-American led the team with three interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2013, while his 26 tackles ranked seventh on the squad.
Green was injured in August of 2013 and missed the entire season. In his career, he has appeared in 20 games and made 19 times on the offensive line. He was a freshman All-America selection in 2011.
A sixth-year senior, Debose has established himself as one of the elite return men all-time in the SEC despite battling injuries throughout his career. He owns the Florida record and is tied for the SEC record with four kickoff return touchdowns in his career. On 58 career returns, he has averaged 27.4 yards, ranking second all-time in conference history among players with 50 or more returns.
The 2014 season kicks off on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. when the Gators host Idaho.
