11 Hawkeyes earn preseason honors from Athlon's

The preseason college football magazines are hitting the shelves at the local bookstores. One of the early entries once again this year is Athlon Sports, who released their Big Ten preview over the course of the last few days.

Today, Athlon’s released their preseason All Big Ten teams and several Hawkeye players were represented.

Punter Tory Taylor was not only first team All Big Ten, but he named a first team All American. Cooper DeJean was named first team All Big Ten at cornerback and second team All American at that position. He was also named second team all-conference at punt returner.

Also on the first team All Big Ten squad according to Athlon’s is Iowa placekicker Drew Stevens. Defensive end Joe Evans and safety Quinn Schulte were named second team All Big Ten by Athlon’s. Tight end Luke Lachey, offensive lineman Mason Richman, defensive tackle Logan Lee, and incoming transfer Nick Jackson were named to the preseason third team. On the fourth team were running back Kaleb Johnson and center Logan Jones.

Taylor (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) was a first team All-American by FWAA, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, and earned second team All-America laurels by the Associated Press last season. The native of Melbourne, Australia, averaged 45.4 yards on 82 punts, with a long of 70 yards, in 2022. Taylor placed 38 punts inside the 20-yard line with just 11 touchbacks. He had 27 punts of 50 yards or more, while opponents averaged just 4.4 yards on 22 returns.

DeJean (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) was named first team all-league by the media and second team by the coaches last season and was voted the Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player after collecting seven tackles, returning an interception for a score, and returning three punts for 42 yards in a win over Kentucky. He averaged 16.5 yards on 10 punt returns. He also intercepted five passes, returning three for touchdowns. The native of Odebolt, Iowa, ranked third on the squad in tackles (75) and was second in pass break-ups (8) in 2022.

Stevens (6-foot, 180 pounds) set a freshman program record with 16 field goals in his first season as a Hawkeye. The second team freshman All-American and All-Big Ten selection made 16-of-18 field goals, including 6-of-8 from 40+. The North Augusta, South Carolina, native had 31 of his 55 kickoffs result in touchbacks and he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.

Evans (6-foot-2, 246 pounds) started all 13 games during his senior season, earning second team all-league honors by the media and an honorable mention nod from the coaches in 2022. The Ames, Iowa, native finished the season with 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for an Iowa defense that held nine opponents at 10 points or less during the season.

Schulte (6-foot-1, 208 pounds) started all 13 games at free safety where he finished fourth on the team with 71 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a key member of a Hawkeye defense that limited opponents to 270.8 yards and 13.3 points per game – second-fewest nationally.

Lachey (6-foot-6, 252 pounds) was an honorable mention selection by the media in 2022. He played in all 13 games, ranking third on the team in receptions (28) and receiving yards (398). The Columbus, Ohio, native ranked second in yards per reception (14.2) and caught a team-best four touchdowns as a sophomore.

Richman (6-foot-6, 308 pounds) was an honorable mention selection by the coaches in 2022. He started all 13 games last season at left tackle. The native of Leawood, Kansas, helped Iowa’s offense average 94.8 rushing yards per contest.

Lee (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the media and coaches, and was an Athlon Sports second-team all-league honoree in 2022. Lee enters his senior year with 27 consecutive starts, including starting all 13 starts at defensive tackle last season. The native of Orion, Illinois, was fifth in team tackles (54) and fourth in tackles for loss (8) as a junior.

Jackson (6-foot-1, 234 pounds) transferred to the Hawkeyes from the University of Virginia. He was named second-team All-ACC by conference and Associated Press after leading the team in tackles (104) and quarterback hurries (4) and ranking second in sacks (5). The Atlanta native was named Virginia’s defensive MVP following the 2022 campaign.

Jones (6-foot-3, 283 pounds) started all 13 games in 2022 at the center position – his first on the Hawkeyes’ offensive line. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native helped Iowa’s offense average 94.8 rushing yards per game.

Johnson (6-foot, 212 pounds) earned honorable mention All-America and honorable mention all-conference accolades during his first season in Iowa City after rushing for a freshman record 779 yards with six touchdowns in 2022. The Hamilton, Ohio, native had three 100-yard games, including a 200-yard game on 22 attempts in Iowa’s road win at Purdue.