True freshman safety Daren Bates was named to the SEC coaches' All-Freshman team Thursday.

Bates had one of the more improbable years for Auburn in recent memory. The lightly pursued two-star recruit made an impact immediately, winning a starting job in August and starting all 12 games. He finished fourth on the team with 63 tackles (40 solo, 23 assists). He also had 2.5 tackles for a loss, two pass break-ups, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Bates had at least seven tackles in five games this season, including a career-high nine during Auburn’s 33-20 victory against Ole Miss on Oct. 31.

It's the fourth straight year an Auburn defensive back has been named to the all-freshman team. Neiko Thorpe was recognized last season, Zac Etheridge in 2007 and Jerraud Powers in 2006.

Here's the full team (*-Ties, #-Unanimous Selection):

Offense

• TE Orson Charles, Georgia
• #OL Barrett Jones, Alabama
• OL Aaron Jones, Alabama
• OL Xavier Nixon, Florida
• OL Ryan Seymour, Vanderbilt
• *OL Larry Warford, Kentucky
• *OL T.J. Johnson, South Carolina
• #WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
• WR Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State
• QB Morgan Newton, Kentucky
• RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
• RB Warren Norman, Vanderbilt

Defense

• DL Devin Taylor, South Carolina
• DL Tenarius Wright, Arkansas
• *DL Montez Robinson, Georgia
• *DL Omar Hunter, Florida
• LB Nico Johnson, Alabama
• LB D.T. Shackelford, Ole Miss
• LB Herman Lathers, Tennessee
• DB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State
• DB Corey Broomfield, Mississippi State
• DB Daren Bates, Auburn
• DB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Special teams

• #PK Ryan Fowler, Vanderbilt
• *P Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss
• RS Warren Norman, Vanderbilt