When the call came through, Corey Wootton knew right away who it was from. The Don Bosco Prep grad had spent five years at Northwestern, so he recognized the 847 area code -- and he also knew the Bears were next on the clock.
He was right. Head coach Lovie Smith was calling to tell Wootton the Bears were taking him with the 11th pick of the fourth round (109th overall).
"I've been waiting for that call the past couple days and finally got it," Wootton said from his family's home in Rutherford, as cell phones beeped and rang in the background. "It's a relief to know where I’m going, know where I’ll be for the next four years."
The wait was longer than expected for the defensive end, a projected second or third-rounder. But Wootton's phone was silent through Thursday's first round and Friday's second and third rounds. He finally heard from the Bears before lunchtime Saturday.
Wootton had a breakout junior season for the Wildcats, recording 10 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss, during which leaving early for the NFL seemed like a viable possibility. But once he tore his ACL in the 2008 Alamo Bowl, he had to put that dream on hold. He returned for his senior season, working his way back from the injury as the fall progressed.
"It's a blessing to be able to come back from this injury and to be drafted in the NFL," Wootton said. "Many people didn’t think I'd be able to come back from this. I'm just excited for this opportunity."
Wootton is a good fit for Chicago in a lot of ways. He was happy to land in a 4-3 scheme, which he played in college. The Bears' defensive line coach, Eric Washington, was Wootton's defensive line coach through his sophomore season at Northwestern. And his fiancee, Felicia Chester, will be a senior forward for the DePaul women's basketball team.
"Chicago is a great city," Wootton said. "Everyone was so excited. It was great to be able to share this moment with my family and friends."
By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger
Former Don Bosco star Brian Toal is among 23 players scheduled to attend this weekend's Giants rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The 6-foot, 238-pound Toal appeared on his way to the NFL after he carried his storied high school career to Boston College. But he missed the 2007 season with a shoulder injury and had his 2008 season cut short by a broken fibula. He was not drafted last year.
He attended the Jets' 2009 rookie camp on a tryout basis but was not signed. He wound up playing for Jim Fassel's Las Vegas team in the United Football League.
Toal, a resident of Wyckoff, has been head coach at Don Bosco Prep for 10 years and was named USA Today 2009 National High School Football Coach of the Year. He has been responsible for 14 New Jersey State Football Championship Teams at Don Bosco Prep, Ramapo High School, Hackensack High School and River Dell High School.
Tickets are $200 per person. Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,500-$10,000. For further information, contact Barbara Donatacci at babsdonatacci@ aol.com.
Don Bosco Prep is at 492 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey. Visit donboscoprep.com or call 201-327-8003.
Photo Credit: Mitsu Yasukawa/The Star-Ledger
Story: The Record
The 2009 national champions of high school football, the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen, were awarded their national championship rings last evening in a ring ceremony held in the school’s gym.
After the rings were blessed by Don Bosco Prep Director/President Rev. Louis J. Molinelli, SDB, ’79, Head Football Coach Greg Toal gave his introductory remarks.
He announced that during the football season, 42 of the team’s players had achieved academic honor roll status. He praised the students for working hard both on the field and off. In describing the football game against Prattville H.S. in Prattville, Alabama, Coach Toal said that the Ironmen rose to the challenge, because of their mental and physical toughness, and their high moral character.
He recognized the coaching staff and thanked them for their contributions to the team, “These are people that care about you,” he told the players. He recognized each coach and their attributes, and gave special mention to Athletic Director and Offensive Line Coach, Nunzio Campanile, who received a standing ovation from the crowd, “Nunzio and I have had a special partnership for the past 10 years. We’ve been blessed to have him. I’m sorry to see him go. He’s a special guy. We’ll really miss him.”
Coach Toal then brought each player up front and with a personal encouraging comment for each young man, presented them with their rings.
National Signing Day - 10 Student Athletes commit to Division 1 Colleges and Universities- 24 seniors to play college football next year. Congratulations to all the players!!!
National Signing Day - 10 Student Athletes commit to Division 1 Colleges and Universities- 24 seniors to play college football next year. Congratulations to all the players!!!
On February 18th, the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard visited the Garden State to honor the Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) High School football. Don Bosco Prep finished No. 1 in the nation according to the MaxPreps Freeman poll. Making our fourth Tour of Champions visit to this national power, the Tour was all set to honor the team at halftime of their boys’ varsity basketball game. Don Bosco Prep is the only team to be honored four times by the Tour of Champions.
On February 18th, the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard visited the Garden State to honor the Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) High School football. Don Bosco Prep finished No. 1 in the nation according to the MaxPreps Freeman poll. Making our fourth Tour of Champions visit to this national power, the Tour was all set to honor the team at halftime of their boys’ varsity basketball game. Don Bosco Prep is the only team to be honored four times by the Tour of Champions.
