Preseason Honors Continue For Hawkeye Football

Aug. 11, 2010

IOWA CITY, IA – – The 2010 Iowa Hawkeye football team continues to garner preseason media attention. Sports Illustrated, in its preseason college football preview which hit newsstands Wednesday, has ranked Iowa sixth nationally. Additionally, Hawkeye standouts Ricky Stanzi, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Broderick Binns, Ryan Donahue, Adrian Clayborn and Tyler Sash have been named to preseason watch lists.

Clayborn was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list and the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award watch list. Clayborn, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive end from St. Louis, has already been named to the preseason watch lists for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He was also named a preseason first team All-American by Sporting News, Playboy Magazine, College Football Insiders, Lindy’s Football Preview and The Kickoff.

Last season, Clayborn earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl in Iowa’s 24-14 win over Georgia Tech. He recorded 36 solo tackles and 34 assists in 13 games, with 20 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented to the nation’s top defensive player since 1995. The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is presented to college football’s premier defensive end who displays Ted Hendricks’ aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination.

In addition to Clayborn, Sash was also named to the Bednarik Award watch list. The junior strong safety has previously been named to the Jim Thorpe, Lott Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Award watch lists.

Sash, a candidate for 2010 All-America honors, was named second-team All-American last year and was named first team all-Big Ten by the coaches and media. He has also been named to numerous 2010 preseason All-America teams. Last season Sash ranked second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally in interceptions (six in 13 games). He holds the Iowa record for career interception return yards (350 on 11 interceptions) and has 138 career tackles, with eight tackles for loss. Sash has started 21 straight games.

Binns was also named to the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award watch list. The St. Paul, MN, native recorded 27 solo tackles and 36 assists in 13 games last season. He was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by league media.

Stanzi, a 6-4, 230-pound quarterback from Mentor, OH, was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell. The senior is already on the watch lists for both the Davey O’Brien and Manning awards. He completed 171 of 304 passes for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Johnson-Koulianos, a native of Campbell, OH, was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the nation’s outstanding college football receiver. The senior has led the Black and Gold in receiving in each of the last three seasons. He was named second team all-Big Ten by league coaches in 2009 after leading the team with 45 receptions and 750 yards. His career totals include 127 receptions for 1,871 yards and seven touchdowns.

Ryan Donahue has been named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter. Donahue, a native of Evergreen Park, IL, was one of seven candidates named to the list. The senior was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by league coaches in 2009, averaging 40.9 yards on 61 punts.

Iowa fans can see the Hawkeyes in action Saturday, Aug. 14 at the annual “Kid’s Day” in Kinnick Stadium. Gates open at 11 a.m. for the open practice, which is scheduled from Noon to 2 p.m.

The Hawkeyes open the regular season Saturday, Sept. 4 against Eastern Illinois in Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 11:05 a.m.