by Sports Xchange

S Brad Phillips -- Not only did he lead Northwestern's revamped defense in tackles (109) and tie for tops in interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (2), the senior-to-be earned a deserved reputation as a fierce hitter. He knocked Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene out of the Iowa game, for example.

CB Sherrick McManis -- "Batman" has been the Wildcats' shutdown corner for more than two seasons and nothing figures to change this year. McManis broke up 12 passes, intercepted two others and racked up 67 tackles.

TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Alex Daniel -- There are a lot of carries available in Northwestern's backfield and this Georgia product, who sat out in the fall as a redshirt, will get to use spring ball to advance his case. The 6-foot, 190-pounder slasher piled up 4,364 yards and 46 touchdowns during his career at Roswell High School.

LB Aaron Nagel -- The prized recruit spent one year at Notre Dame before deciding to transfer to Northwestern. Nagel, a sophomore, has sat out his transfer year and should be in the mix for playing time.

LB Quentin Williams -- Here's how much his classmates think of him: They voted the redshirt freshman onto the team's 10-man Leadership Council. A terrific athlete who's spending part of his spring playing for the Wildcats' baseball team -- he was the team's starting right fielder on opening day -- the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Pittsburgh product could find himself lining up alongside older brother Nate among NU's linebackers.

ROSTER REPORT:

--DE Corey Wootton, the only Northwestern player to make the all-Big Ten team last year, will sit out spring ball as he continues his rehabilitation. Wootton tore the ACL in his right knee late in the Alamo Bowl last December, but expects to be fine by Camp Kenosha in August.

--S Brad Phillips will miss spring practice as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Phillips, who'll either keep his safety spot or become more of a nickel back in the fall, expects to be fine for the season.