Jan. 2, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson and defensive end Alvin “Bud” Dupree were honored recently as second-team All-Southeastern Conference performers by Phil Steele’s College Football.
The honor was the sixth time Williamson has been given praise for his senior season over the past couple of weeks. Williamson was also named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, league coaches, ESPN.com and Athlon Sports, while College Sports Madness named him a first-team All-SEC performer.
Williamson finished 2013 as UK’s leading tackler for the second consecutive year, posting 102 total tackles to rank tied for fourth in the SEC in that category. The senior had four tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. The linebacker finished his career with 296 total tackles. Williamson, who played in 49 career games with 24 starts, had double-digit tackles in four games in 2013 and ended his career with 12 double-digit tackle games.
The star linebacker began the season as a third-team Preseason All-SEC honoree by league coaches and media, while College Sports Madness and Phil Steele’s College Football named him a second-team Preseason All-SEC member. Williamson was also named to the Butkus Award Watch List for the nation’s best linebacker, College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy Watch List and Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, which honors players who have made the biggest impact on their teams both on the field and off.
Williamson, who was captain in all 12 games for UK, was named a candidate for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award and a member of the SEC Community Service Team.
Dupree, who announced he will return to Kentucky for his senior season, led all SEC defensive linemen with 61 tackles in the 2013 season. The native of Irwinton, Ga., finished the season with a team-best seven sacks, ranking sixth in the conference and 40th in the nation in that category. The junior also finished with a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, three quarterback hurries and two fumbles forced. Dupree had a career game against Mississippi State with 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. The 13 tackles in a game was the most for a UK defensive lineman since game-by-game records were available back to 1993.
The junior’s strong season has drawn praise as he has been named a second-team All-SEC performer by the AP and third-team All-SEC by College Sports Madness. Dupree began 2013 on the College Football Performance Awards Defensive Lineman Trophy Watch List, which is given to the nation’s best defensive lineman and was named Preseason All-SEC by league coaches, media, College Sports Madness and Phil Steele’s College Football.
Dupree, who served as a captain in 10 of UK’s 12 games, was named Sophomore All-America second team last season by CollegeFootballNews.com and was an All-SEC third-team honoree by Phil Steele’s College Football and College Football Madness in 2012.
