6 Hawkeyes Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-B1G Team
Six
members of the University of Iowa football team have been named to Phil
Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten team. The all-conference team is
released as part of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview magazine,
which hits newsstands June 24th.
Senior center Austin
Blythe and senior defensive end Drew Ott were named to the second team;
senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith and junior cornerback Desmond King
were chosen to the third unit; and senior tight end Jake Duzey and
senior safety Jordan Lomax earned fourth team honors.
Blythe,
a native of Williamsburg, Iowa, makes his third consecutive appearance
on Steele’s preseason All-Big Ten team after being chosen to the fourth
team in 2013 and third team in 2014. The fifth-year senior
started 13 games in 2014, including six games at center, one game at
right guard, and six games at left guard. Following the season,
Blythe was named second team All-Big Ten by College Sports
Madness. Blythe is also on the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List.
272-pound,
Ott’s selection marks the first preseason distinction of his Hawkeye
career. The 6-4, 272 lbs. defensive end led the Hawkeyes in sacks
last season (7.5) and tied for sixth most in the Big Ten. The
Trumbull, Nebraska, native was named Big Ten Conference Defensive
player of the Week, while also being named honorable mention CFPA
Defensive Lineman of the Week after his performance in Iowa’s win over
Ball State. Following the 2014 campaign, Ott was named second
team All-Big Ten by league media, third team All-Big Ten by College
Sports Madness, and All-Big Ten honorable mention by league
coaches.
An All-Big Ten honorable mention
by league coaches a year ago, Smith saw action in all 13 games, while
recording eight starts at wide receiver. The Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, native led Iowa in receiving yards (596), ranked second in
receptions (43), and hauled in three touchdown receptions to tie for
the most on the team.
King, a native of Detroit,
Michigan, makes his second straight appearance on Steele’s preseason
All-Big Ten team after being chosen to the fourth team in 2014.
As a sophomore, King started all 13 games, recording 64 tackles,
including 42 solo and 22 assists. King also tied for the team
lead and ninth in the Big Ten with three interceptions for 72 yards and
one touchdown. Following Iowa’s 2014 campaign, King was tabbed
All-Big Ten honorable mention by league media.
Duzey was
deemed second team All-Big Ten by College Sports Madness and an
honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree by the league media in
2014. The 6-4, 248-pound tight end saw action in all 13 games,
while leading all Big Ten tight ends in receptions with 36 for 392
yards and three touchdowns. The Troy, Michigan, native and
Academic All-Big Ten honoree was named CFPA honorable mention Tight End
of the Week for his play against Illinois (three receptions, 110 yards)
and No. 14 Wisconsin (four receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD).
Lomax
earns preseason fourth team All-Big Ten honors for the first time in
his career, following a 2014 campaign in which he was tabbed All-Big
Ten honorable mention by league coaches. He recorded 92 tackles,
including 44 solo and 48 assisted stops. As a junior, Lomax led
the team with six pass break-ups, while recording one interception and
forcing one fumble. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native was named to
the Capital One Academic All-District 6 first team last season and
earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive
year. Lomax is also on the Lott IMPACT Trophy Preseason Watch
List.
The Hawkeyes open the 2015 season September 5, hosting Illinois State in Kinnick Stadium.
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