IOWA CITY – University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewell was named to the Preseason First Team All-America Team, the Associated Press announced today.
Jewell joins three other Big Ten players — Saquon Barkley (Penn State RB), Mike Gesicki (Penn State TE), and Billy Price (Ohio State C).
Jewell (6-foot-2, 236-pounds), a native of Decorah, Iowa, started all 13 games at middle linebacker in 2016, leading the team with 124 tackles — the second most in the Big Ten. Jewell was a team captain in each of the past two seasons and was named Iowa’s Most Valuable Player on defense in 2016. Jewell was named to five preseason award watch lists, including the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Wuerffel Trophy. In addition, Jewell was named preseason first team All-American, first team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and College Sports Madness, a Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch and Sports Illustrated.
The Hawkeyes host Wyoming in their season opener on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. (CT) on BTN.