PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 9, 2007) – Rutgers running back Ray Rice (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and place-kicker Jeremy Ito (Loma Linda, Calif.) have been named to the 2007 Playboy All-America Team. Both players will be in Phoenix May 11-13 for the taping of Playboy’s “College Football Preview,” a one-hour nationally syndicated television show that will air shortly before the season begins.

It marks the 51st year of the Playboy All-America tradition, which has included players such as Dan Marino, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders and Peyton Manning to name just a few.

A Second Team All-America by five media outlets in 2006, Rice finished seventh in the voting for the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,794 yards last season, a BIG EAST single-season record. The New York native also scored 20 touchdowns on the season en route to First Team BIG EAST honors.

Ito tied for second nationally in 2006 with 1.69 field goals per game after connecting on 22-of-29 field goal attempts. An Honorable Mention All-America selection by SportsIllustrated.com, Ito was also a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award and was a Second Team BIG EAST honoree last season.

Source: Rutgers Sports Communications Office