MacGinnis, Stamps, Swindle Named Preseason Coaches All-SEC
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2015 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team on Tuesday with sophomore kicker Austin MacGinnis, senior offensive lineman Jordan Swindle and senior safety A.J. Stamps earning honors from the league coaches.
MacGinnis was named to the second team as a placekicker, while Stamps was one of five defensive backs on the third team and Swindle was one of five offensive linemen on the third team. This is the first Preseason Coaches All-SEC honor for each player.
The honor adds to a list of honors for MacGinnis, who was named All-SEC first team last year by The Associated Press, SEC Coaches and Phil Steele’s College Football. The native of Wedowee, Ala., was also named a first-team Freshman All-American last season by Scout.com after setting school records for most points in a season (104), most field goals in a season (21), most extra points in a season without a miss (41-of-41), most kickoff touchbacks in a season (25), longest field goal in school history (54 yards) and consecutive field goals made (9). Overall, MacGinnis made 21-of-27 field goals, including going 4-for-4 in the season finale at Louisville.
Stamps had a great first season for the Wildcats last year, starting all 12 games at safety and leading the team in interceptions with four. In his first career game, Stamps made a season-best eight tackles against UT Martin, including a one-handed interception that made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Day. The native of Vicksburg, Miss., helped clinch Kentucky’s win over Vanderbilt with a four-quarter interception, while he had an interception and two pass breakups in UK’s upset over South Carolina.
Swindle, who has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll each of the last two seasons, has been a key contributor to the UK offensive line since stepping on campus. The native of St. Johns, Fla., has played in 35 career games with 24 starts, including all 12 games last season. In his two seasons as a starter, the UK offense has improved from 18 points per game his first year to 20 points per game in 2013 and an improved 29 points per game last season. Due to Swindle’s blocking in 2014, five UK players rushed for at least 300 yards for the first time since 1977.
This marks the 13th consecutive year of the SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team. All 14 SEC schools were represented by at least two members on the teams, including seven schools with six or more selections each. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Kentucky will start its 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. ET against UL Lafayette at The New CWS. For ticket information, visit ukathletics.com or contact the UK Ticket Office at 1 (800) 928-2287.
For more information on the Kentucky football team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @UKFootball on Twitter and Instagram, or Kentucky Football on Facebook.
