May 18, 2007

BERKELEY - Athlon Sports, publisher of America's Premier Sports Annuals, has ranked the California football team No. 11 in its preseason Top 25. The rankings are being revealed one day at a time at www.athlonsports.com. In addition, the magazine has selected junior DeSean Jackson as a Preseason First Team All-American while classmate Alex Mack is a Second Team All-America honoree.

The magazine hits newsstands on June 5 and the California regional edition will feature Jackson on the cover.

Joining Jackson and Mack as Preseason First Team All-Pac-10 selections by Athlon are senior tight end Craig Stevens and senior punter Andrew Larson. Junior quarterback Nate Longshore, senior wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, senior offensive lineman Mike Gibson, junior linebacker Zack Follett and senior kicker Tom Schneider have been named Second Team All-Pac-10 for the preseason.

Senior running back Justin Forsett, senior defensive lineman Matthew Malele, junior linebacker Worrell Williams and sophomore cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson were picked Third Team All-Pac-10.

Magazines are available for pre-order at www.athlonsports.com.

Other preseason honors for the Golden Bears to date include Mack being named to the Preseason Watch Lists for the Rimington Award (top center in the nation) and the Rotary Lombardi Award (top lineman in the nation) and Follett being placed on the Lott Trophy Watch List (top defensive player).