KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson has been named the Southeastern Conference's freshman of the week.
The Gainesville native had 13 tackles against Alabama, the second-best performance by a true freshman behind Eric Berry's 14 tackles against Kentucky in 2007. It was the biggest performance by a Tennessee player this season.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Johnson ranks first among SEC freshmen with 45 total tackles this season, which is tied for the Tennessee team lead with senior linebacker Austin Johnson.
The Volunteers (3-4, 0-4) host South Carolina (6-1, 4-1) on Saturday.