The
watch list includes student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding
performance and skill in offensive or
defensive positions and best exemplify the discipline, virtue and
wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi's exceptional brand of leadership.
The players gained a position on the preliminary watch list by earning
All-American honors, being named to their respective
all-conference teams, or by receiving 2016 preseason honors.
Last
season, all five Hawkeyes played a vital role in guiding Iowa to an
undefeated regular season (12-2 overall) and Big Ten West
Division title. Iowa also landed its first Rose Bowl appearance since
1991.
Offensively,
Beathard started all 14 games at quarterback, passing for 2,809 yards
and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for 237 yards
and six touchdowns. Kittle played in all 14 games, notching six
starts. A preseason candidate for the John Mackey Award, Kittle hauled
in 20 receptions for 290 yards and led Iowa with six touchdown
receptions, including the only touchdown of the game in
Iowa’s 10-6 victory at Wisconsin. Behind Welsh and the offensive line,
the Hawkeye rushing attack amassed 2,544 total yards and scored 35
rushing touchdowns -- second most in the Big Ten and 12th nationally --
in 14 games. That same unit was also crucial
to the Hawkeye passing game, which accounted for 2,862 yards.
Defensively,
Jewell and Johnson anchored a Hawkeye defense that allowed 11 rushing
touchdowns, the seventh lowest total in the country,
and yielded an average of 121.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 15th
nationally. Jewell led Iowa with 126 total tackles, including 62 solo
stops and three sacks. His four interceptions ranked second on the
team, while his 7.5 tackles for loss tied for second
best. Johnson started all 14 games, recording 45 tackles, including
5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Iowa opens the 2016 season Sept. 3 against Miami, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:32 p.m. (CT)
at Kinnick Stadium.
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