July 19, 2010
- Tap for former Hawkeye QB C. Long!
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- Take the Hawkeyes With You: Iowa Podcasts
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- gohawks.com
- Iowa Football wallpaper
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz will be joined by seniors Adrian Clayborn, Karl Klug and Ricky Stanzi at the 2010 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago, IL, Aug. 3. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. In its 39th year, the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon hosts 33 student-athletes from the conference, as well as all 11 head coaches. Players and coaches will have an autograph and photo session beginning at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the luncheon at 11:30. All 11 coaches will speak, along with returning all-Big Ten wide receiver Keith Smith of Purdue, who will speak on behalf of the players in attendance.
Stanzi boasts an 18-4 record as Iowa’s starting quarterback over the last two seasons and ranks sixth in career passing yards (4,373) and passing touchdowns (31). The Mentor, OH, native finished the 2009 season as a recipient of the Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player Award. He was named a permanent team captain while earning honorable mention all-America by Pro Football Weekly, honorable mention all-Big Ten by league media. He was one of 15 semi-finalists for the 2009 Davey O’Brien Award, honoring the top quarterback in the nation, and he is on the 2010 preseason watch list.
Additionally, Stanzi’s season passing total of 2,417 yards in 2009 ranks 11th among single season leaders at Iowa and his 2008 total (1,956 yards) ranks 20th. His 17 scoring passes in 2009 tie as ninth-best for a single season, while his 14 touchdown connections in 2008 tie for 15th. Stanzi has been a member of the Leadership Group the last two seasons.
Clayborn started all 13 games at defensive end in 2009, recording 36 solo tackles and 34 assists. His 2009 honors include national Defensive Performer of the Year by College Football Performance Awards, first team all-Big Ten by league coaches and media, first team all-Big Ten by Phil Steele’s College Football, second team all-College Football Insiders, third team all-America by Phil Steele’s College Football and honorable mention all-America by Pro Football Weekly. Clayborn was also a recipient of Iowa’s Hustle Team Award on defense and was named a permanent team captain. The St. Louis, MO, native’s performance in Iowa’s 21-10 win at Penn State earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, AT&T all-America Player of the Week and ESPN.com Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Clayborn has also compiled 2010 preseason honors, including first team all-America by Playboy, Lindy’s Football Preview and The Kickoff, first team all-Big Ten by Blue Ribbon Yearbook and second team all-America by NationalChamps.net. He has been named to the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Klug started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2009, compiling 22 solo stops and 43 assists, including 13 tackles for a loss and four sacks. The Caledonia, MN, native was named first team all-Big Ten by Sporting News, honorable mention all-Big Ten by league coaches and named to Iowa’s Hustle Team Award on defense. Klug will be one of three seniors anchoring the defensive line in 2010. He has been named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list.
The list of student-athletes attending the event consists of 19 former All-Big Ten selections, including first team honoree Clayborn and second team selections Klug and Stanzi. Former Kickoff Luncheon attendees include Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, along with each of the Big Ten’s Heisman Trophy winners since 1970 – Archie Griffin, Desmond Howard, Eddie George, Charles Woodson, Ron Dayne and Troy Smith.