July 1, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton (Rutherford, N.J./Don Bosco Prep), a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2008, has been named to Playboy Magazine's annual preseason All-America team.

Wootton becomes the 13th player or coach in Northwestern history to be honored by Playboy, which has been selecting a preseason All-America team for 52 years.

Wootton was named the Wildcats' team MVP in 2008 after leading one of the nation's most improved defensive units. Wootton helped Northwestern rank among the nation's leaders in sacks by recording 10 of the team's 34 sacks (18th most nationally). He closed his junior campaign with 42 tackles, 16 TFL's (10 sacks) and an interception.

For the second career time in 2008, Wootton recorded a statistic in every major defensive category (tackles, TFL's, sacks, pass deflections, interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, QB hurries and blocked kicks).

In the Wildcats' 2008 Alamo Bowl game vs. Missouri, Wootton suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery in January. He is expected to be back in the lineup when Northwestern kicks off the 2009 season on Sept. 5 vs. Towson.

Northwestern's All-Time Playboy All-America Pigskin Preview Team Selections
1959 • Ara Parseghian (Coach of the Year)
1960 • Dick Thornton (QB)
1963 • Jack Cvercko (OG)
1963 • Tom Myers (QB)
1963 • Ara Parseghian (Coach of the Year)
1965 • Casimir Banaszek (DE)
1996 • Darnell Autry (RB)
1996 • Gary Barnett (Coach of the Year)
1996 • Pat Fitzgerald (LB)
1997 • D'Wayne Bates (WR)
2001 • Damien Anderson (RB)
2001 • Randy Walker (Coach of the Year)
2005 • Jeff Backes (Scholar-Athlete)
2009 • Corey Wootton (DE)