Huckeba, Jones Earn All-SEC Honors

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas hasn't had much to celebrate since a season-ending, 43-14 loss to then-No. 14 LSU on Nov. 26 knocked the Razorbacks out of postseason play for the first time since 1997.

But a pair of influential seniors had plenty of reason to smile Tuesday.

Senior defensive end Jeb Huckeba was selected to the Southeastern Conference coaches' first-team defense, while quarterback Matt Jones shared second-team offensive honors along with Georgia quarterback David Greene.

"Matt (Jones) and Jeb (Huckeba) have done so much for our program," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "We're very excited for them to be on the All-SEC team. We're going to miss them and we wish them nothing but the best."

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Huckeba led Arkansas with 6 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for losses, while finishing fourth on the team with 56 stops. A Searcy native, Huckeba was joined on the SEC first-team defensive line by LSU senior Marcus Spears and Georgia senior David Pollack.

Huckeba is the first Arkansas defensive end to be named to the SEC first team since Steven Conley in 1995. He also is the 18th Hog selected to the coaches' first team since Arkansas entered the SEC in 1992 and 13th under coach Houston Nutt.

Jones wrapped up his memorable career by completing 151 of 264 passes for 2,073 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a senior. The 6-foot-6, 237-pound Jones also led the Hogs in rushing (622 yards) despite being slowed by hamstring and groin injuries the second half of the season.

Jones was fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game (188.5) and second in total offense (245). Jones, who shared third-team preseason honors with Florida's Chris Leak, became the first Arkansas quarterback to be named to the SEC coaches' team.

In addition, a conference-high five Hogs were named to The Sporting News SEC All-Freshman team on Tuesday. The publication tabbed receiver Marcus Monk, cornerback Michael Grant, punter Jeremy Davis and offensive linemen Robert Felton and Matt Gilbow as SEC all-freshman selections.

Monk made the biggest impact, catching 37 passes for 569 yards and a team-high 6 touchdowns. He made his first career start during Arkansas' 38-20 loss at Auburn and caught 25 passes for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns in six starts.

Gilbow earned two starts at right tackle in place of injured junior Zac Tubbs. Felton earned his first career start at left tackle, but started the final four games at right tackle. Grant started one game at cornerback and finished with 29 tackles. Davis handled punting duties the last six games, averaging 39.2 yards an attempt.

"It shows how great last year's recruiting class was without that cloud of NCAA probation over our heads," Nutt said. "I'm so proud of our young people and how well they've performed this year. We're looking forward to next year, but they're going to have to keep getting better."