KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Defensive back Cameron Sutton (second team) and wide receiver Marquez North (honorable mention) have been named to the College Football News All-Freshman Team. Safety Brian Randolph (honorable mention) was also named to the All-Sophomore Team.
Sutton had a standout season in his inaugural campaign on Rocky Top. The Jonesboro, Ga., native made 39 tackles as he started all 12 games in 2013. Sutton led the Vols with nine passes defended including two interceptions and seven pass break-ups. He also had four tackles for a loss with a sack and two fumble recoveries.
Sutton was the Vols' first true freshman to return an interception for a touchdown since Eric Berry (2007 at Florida) on a 36-yard return vs. WKU (9/7). His second interception came in the Vols' upset win over South Carolina (10/19). He became first true freshman to start in secondary since Justin Coleman (2011) in season opener vs. Austin Peay (8/31).
North started all 11 games he played and was the Vols leader in receiving yards with 496 as a true freshman. He finished second on the team with 38 receptions, the second-most by a freshman in Tennessee history. His yardage total ranks as the third-best total by a freshman in UT annals.
The Charlotte, N.C., native became the first true freshman since 2009 (Marsalis Teague) to start a season opener for the Orange & White. North had his first career 100-yard game with three catches for 102 yards in the upset win over #11 South Carolina (10/19). That total made North the first freshman since Justin Hunter in 2010 with 100-yard game.
North also had his second of two ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 plays in the game with a remarkable 39-yard one-handed grab.
Randolph returned to action and started all 12 games in 2013 after missing most of the 2012 season with a knee injury. Randolph finished second on the Vols with 75 tackles. He led the team with four interceptions and was third on the team in passes defended with seven this season.
Randolph tied his career-high with 12 tackles and made game-saving interception in end zone as South Alabama (9/28) was driving with a chance to tie the game in final minutes. The Marietta, Ga., native also had a game-high 11 tackles, including two TFLs, at #19 Florida (9/21) as he made his 100th career tackle in that game.
Randolph was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 9 after he had the first two interceptions of his career vs. Western Kentucky (9/7) along with eight tackles.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com)