Weatherspoon named to preseason All-Big 12 Team

COLUMBIA — Missouri senior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team, voted on by media representatives who cover the conference. Weatherspoon earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Team following each of the last two seasons and was a unanimous pick for the first team in 2008 after he led the league with 11.07 tackles per game.

In addition to his spot on the All-Big 12 team a year ago, Weatherspoon earned All-America honors, was a finalist for the Butkus Award and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award. He also earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors of the Valero Alamo Bowl, recording 17 tackles in the Tigers’ win over Northwestern.

Weatherspoon’s 155 tackles in 2008 were second most in school history. He also had three interceptions last year, returning two of those for touchdowns. He will enter the 2009 season with 302 career tackles, which ranks 14th all-time at MU.

Weatherspoon will join fellow seniors Kurtis Gregory and Jaron Baston and Head Coach Gary Pinkel at Big 12 Media Days next week in Dallas. Missouri will take its turn in front of the media on Tuesday.

Missouri's first official practice will be Aug. 6 and the team's annual Fan Day will take place at 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 at Faurot Field. Missouri will open the 2009 season on Sept. 5 against Illinois in the State Farm Arch Rivalry Game in St. Louis.