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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewell has been named the recipient of the 2017 Jack Lambert Award as the best linebacker in the nation. The award was announced Monday by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.
The Jack Lambert Award was first presented in 1991 and is named in honor of the former Pittsburgh Steeler. Lambert is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was a four-time Super Bowl champion during his career.
The Jack Lambert Award will be presented during the 63rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards on Saturday, Feb. 17. Clemson’s Ben Boulware earned the award in 2016.
Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He is one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, and is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. Jewell is a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards.
Jewell recorded eight tackles and three pass break-ups as Iowa closed the regular season with a 56-14 win at Nebraska. He also added his second interception of the season and recorded one tackle for loss as the Hawkeye defense allowed just 67 net rushing yards. Jewell has 125 tackles this season.
He is the third Hawkeye in program history to have three seasons with at least 115 tackles (Larry Station 83, 84, 85; Abdul Hodge 03, 04, 05). Jewell has led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016). Jewell has 426 career tackles, fifth all-time in program history. He needs nine stops to match Brad Quast for fourth all-time (435).
Jewell was named the Lott IMPACT Trophy national defensive Player of the Week for his play against Wyoming and Purdue. He was the Chuck Bednarik Award national and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 24-3 win over Wyoming (14 tackles).
Jewell was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week, Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik Award, and College Sports Madness Defensive Player of the Week following his performance versus No. 4 Penn State (16 tackles).
Jewell was named midseason first team All-American by five media outlets, including Associated Press, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, and The All-American.
The Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-5) are bowl eligible for the 14th time in the last 16 seasons. Iowa’s bowl destination and opponent will be announced on Sunday.
