COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football standouts Aarion Penton (St. Louis, Mo.) and Charles Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) were named All-SEC by the league’s 14 head coaches, announced Tuesday (Dec. 6). Penton led the SEC with five interceptions and earned a spot on the All-SEC First Team at defensive back while Harris was named to the All-SEC Second Team at defensive end after posting a team-high nine sacks. This marks the first time that Penton has earned All-SEC honors while Harris earns second team distinction for the second consecutive season.
#Mizzou's All-SEC Honorees
1st Team: @Miz_Amp_11 ?
2nd Team: @Charles_AO1 ?https://t.co/WdoeSIQp5c#MIZ #ShowMe ?? pic.twitter.com/wSdnQoEhAM— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) December 6, 2016
Penton put together a banner season during his senior campaign, boasting SEC-bests in both interceptions (five) and passes defended (17). He finished the season ranked seventh nationally in passes defended and ninth in interceptions. Penton’s five interceptions match the most by a Mizzou player since William Moore had eight in 2007. Penton added 43 tackles, a half tackle for loss and a QB hurry from his cornerback spot during 2016. He returned his five interceptions for 82 yards, including his first career pick-six against Vanderbilt on Nov. 12. In addition to his work on the field, Penton is on pace to graduate from Mizzou in May of next year.
Harris, who just declared for the NFL Draft last Thursday, had a standout season as a junior to cap an impressive career at Mizzou. Harris tallied team-bests in sacks (9.0), tackles for loss (12.0) and QB hurries (10) while adding 61 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two pass break-ups. His 61 tackles were second on the team from his DE spot. His 9.0 sacks were tied for third in the SEC and his 12.0 tackles for loss were tied for 10th in the SEC. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Nov. 14 following a 2.5 sack performance in Mizzou’s 26-17 win over Vanderbilt on Nov. 12.
Harris finished his Mizzou career ranked seventh in program history with 18.0 sacks and 12th in school history with his 34.5 tackles for loss. He was included on five major college football award watch lists and was a preseason All-SEC selection in 2016 as well. In addition to being a standout on the field for the last three seasons, Harris will leave Mizzou with his degree in health science and a minor in sociology, the first member of his family to earn a college degree.
