WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 9, 2012) - A trio
of William and Mary football standouts have been selected to Phil Steele's
preseason All-America teams. Senior cornerback B.W. Webb garnered first-team
honors, while senior linebacker Dante Cook and senior safety Brian Thompson
earned fourth-team distinction.
Webb's
selection marks his third preseason All-America accolade, as he also earned
honors from The Sports Network and the College Sporting News earlier this
summer. The Newport News, Va., native was also chosen to the Buck Buchanan
Award Watch List, which includes 20 of the nation's top defensive players in
the Football Championship Subdivision.
Webb continued
to establish himself as one of the country's top cornerbacks last season and
earned first-team all-conference honors for the second consecutive year. Last
fall, the Newport News, Va., native finished the season with 40 tackles, 3.0
tackles for a loss and two interceptions.
One of the
most-decorated players in Colonial Athletic Association history, Webb has
earned six all-conference postseason honors during the past three seasons.
During that time, he has totaled 11 career interceptions and currently ranks
tied for eighth on W&M's all-time list.
Although he
was limited to just eight games last season due to injury, Cook will look to
reestablish himself as one of the country's top linebackers this fall. After
playing outside linebacker last season, Cook will move back to the middle this
year - a role he filled during his sophomore campaign when he led the team with
111 tackles and garnered second-team all-league distinction.
One of the
Colonial Athletic Association's top safeties in 2011, Thompson earned
second-team all-conference accolades last fall after ranking third on the team
with 68 tackles. Additionally, he totaled 5.0 tackles for a loss, a sack, an
interception and a forced fumble. An outstanding leader, the 2012 Preseason
All-CAA selection will serve as a co-captain with senior linebacker Jabrel
Mines this year.
The Tribe will
open the 2012 season when it plays at Maryland on Sept. 1.
