July 9, 2012
- 2012 Spring Camp Central
- 2012 Signing Day Central
- America Needs Farmers
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- gohawks.com
- Iowa Football Wallpaper
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Five members of the University of Iowa football team have been named to preseason watch lists. Senior quarterback James Vandenberg was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List and the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Watch List for the quarterback trophy. Senior defensive back Micah Hyde and junior linebacker James Morris were named to the Bednarik Award Watch List. In addition, senior wide receiver Keenan Davis and junior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz were named to the CFPA Watch List for the wide receiver trophy, and tight end trophy, respectively.
The official CFPA announcement will take place January 9, 2013. Kicker Mike Meyer, defensive back Tanner Miller and Hyde were named to CFPA Watch Lists earlier this summer.
The Maxwell Award is given annually to America’s outstanding collegiate football player and the Bednarik Award is presented each year to the nation’s top defensive player.
Vandenberg, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, started all 13 games under center for the Hawkeyes last year. He completed 237-of-404 pass attempts for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns. He ranked third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (232.5), fourth in total offense (237.2) and fifth in pass efficiency (138.5). Vandenberg (6-foot-3, 212) was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA District Six Academic All-America team and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
Hyde (6-foot-1, 190) was also named to the CFPA Preseason Watch List a year ago. The senior, who hails from Fostoria, Ohio, started the first two games at free safety last year and the final 11 games at cornerback. He earned second team All-Big Ten honors by league media after recording 72 total tackles and sharing the team lead with three interceptions.
Morris started all 12 games he played in 2011. The Solon, Iowa, native recorded 52 solo tackles and 58 assists to share the team lead. The Academic All-Big Ten honoree ranked fifth in the Big Ten and tied for 37th nationally in tackles per game (9.2). Morris (6-foot-2, 230) earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both league coaches and media.
Davis, a senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, started at wide receiver in all 12 games he played a year ago. He recorded 50 receptions for 713 yards and four touchdowns. Davis (6-foot-3, 215) ranked eighth in the Big Ten in receptions per game (4.2) and ninth in receiving yards per contest (59.4). He was named to the Blue Ribbon Preseason All-Conference Team last week.
Fiedorowicz (6-foot-7, 265) saw action in all 13 games in 2011 and made five starts. The Johnsburg, Ill., native had 16 catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Fiedorowicz has played in all 26 contests during his first two seasons.
Iowa opens its 2012 season Sept. 1 against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., CT (ESPNU).