Mizzou has three All-SEC picks; Bazelak shares top freshman honors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southeastern Conference coaches have chosen Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak as co-Freshman of the Year and three Mizzou players made the All-SEC team.

Bazelak, a redshirt freshman who took over the starting job early in the season, shares the award with Auburn tailback Tank Bigsby.

Junior linebacker Nick Bolton and redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat were named to the All-SEC first team and senior running back Larry Rountree III is on the second team. Bazelak and freshman kicker Harrison Mevis made the All-Freshman team.

Bolton announced Monday that he will turn pro a year early and will not play in next week’s Music City Bowl against Iowa.

Top-ranked Alabama dominated the awards and All-SEC teams released Tuesday. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith was named Offensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain II is Defensive Player of the Year and Nick Saban is Coach of the Year. Crimson Tide teammates Alex Leatherwood and Landon Dickerson share the Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

Georgia punter Jake Camarda is the Special Teams Player of the Year.

The league’s coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their own players.