IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa seniors James Ferentz and Micah Hyde were named to the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski 2012 preseason watch lists, respectively, on Thursday.
The Outland Trophy honors the best interior lineman in college football, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the country’s best collegiate defensive player by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Ferentz is also on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which honors the nation’s top college center. The Iowa City native earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2011 by both league coaches and media. Ferentz (6-foot-2, 284) has started the last 26 games at center.
Hyde (6-foot-1, 190) was also named to the Bednarik and College Football Performance Awards preseason watch lists earlier this week. The senior, who hails from Fostoria, Ohio, started the first two games at free safety last year and the final 11 games at cornerback. He earned second team All-Big Ten honors by league media after recording 72 total tackles and sharing the team lead with three interceptions.
Iowa opens its season Sept. 1 against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., CT (ESPNU).
