June 2, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State University middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been named to the Playboy Magazine 2011 Preseason All-America Football Team, it was announced Thursday by the publication. Burfict is the only Pacific-12 player represented on the team’s defensive unit.
Burfict, a 6-3, 252-pound junior from Corona, California, becomes the 15th ASU football player to earn a spot on the prestigious Playboy Magazine All-America squad. 15 Sun Devil players have been named to the preseason All-America team a total of 16 times. Defensive back Mike Richardson (1981, ‘82) and placekicker Thomas Weber (2008, ‘09) both made the team on two occasions. Former Sun Devil head coach Bruce Snyder was named national Coach-of-the-Year by Playboy in 1997.
Burfict led ASU in 2010 with 90 tackles, including 54 solos. He added 8.5 quarterback sacks for minus 18 yards, had three pass breakups and forced two fumbles.
This is the 55th year that Playboy has been selecting what has become one of the most important, if not the most important, preseason All-America football teams nationally.
The 2011 All-America team, along with Burfict, will appear in the September issue of the magazine.
Last week, Burfict was named to the preseason First-Team All-America team by Phil Steele’s 2011 College Football Preview magazine.
Here is a complete list of ASU’s Playboy Magazine All-America representatives through the years:
2011 Vontaze Burfict, linebacker
2009 Thomas Weber, place kicker
2008 Thomas Weber, place kicker
2006 Zach Miller, tight end
2004 Derek Hagan, wide receiver
1998 Grey Ruegamer, center
1997 Bruce Snyder, coach of the year
1996 Juan Roque, tackle
1994 Craig Newsome, defensive back
1993 Shante Carver, defensive end
1990 Nathan LaDuke, defensive back
1987 Randall McDaniel, offensive lineman
1985 David Fulcher, defensive back
1982 Vernon Maxwell, linebacker
Mike Richardson, defensive back
1981 Mike Richardson, defensive back
1973 Woody Green, running back
1968 Ron Pritchard, linebacker