Four Wildcats named to all-conference teams

After leading the Wildcats in receptions and receiving yards this season, freshman receiver Mike Thomas was named the Pacific 10 Conference's co-freshman of the year, the conference announced yesterday.

Thomas, who shares honors with Oregon State guard Jeremy Perry, finished with 52 catches for 771 yards and five touchdowns, leading Pac-10 freshmen in all categories.

Four Wildcats were also named to the All-Pacific 10 Conference teams.

Senior safety Darrell Brooks was picked for the conference's first-team defense, as senior defensive end Copeland Bryan and sophomore cornerback Antoine Cason were selected for the second-team unit.

Senior Danny Baugher, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award given to the nation's top punter, was named a Pac-10 second-team specialist.

Bell headed to Senior Bowl

Mike Bell was invited to the 2006 Senior Bowl, to be played Jan. 28 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game is scheduled to broadcast live on ESPN.

Bell said in the coming months he will remain in Tucson studying game film to become a student of the game in preparation for April's NFL draft.

"I'm going to work my butt off like I always do," he said. "I'll go into the Senior Bowl in the best shape and hopefully show I can be one of the best running backs in the country."

Bell said he has yet to sign an agent, but that he anticipates hiring one before heading to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis in March.