July 17, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior wide receiver Keenan Davis and junior linebacker James Morris have been named to the 2012 preseason Biletnikoff Award and Rotary Lombardi Award watch lists, respectively. Also, Hawkeye senior James Vandenberg was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the Big Ten by ESPN.com.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football. The award recipient is selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of over 180 prominent football journalists, commentators, and receivers.
The Rotary Lombardi Award is given to the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker. A committee comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all Division IA head coaches, and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters will select the honoree.
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). Earlier this summer, he was named to the Blue Ribbon Preseason All-Conference Team and to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Wide Receiver Trophy Watch List.
Morris, who is also on the Bednarik and Butkus Award watch lists, 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.
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. Only 17 returning players in the FBS threw for more yards than Vandenberg. 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. He is also on the 2012 preseason Maxwell Award and CFPA Quarterback Trophy watch lists.
Iowa opens its season Sept. 1 against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., CT (ESPNU).
Iowa Hawkeyes on Watch Lists
Keenan Davis, Sr., WR
Biletnikoff Award
CFPA Wide Receiver Trophy
James Ferentz, Sr., OL
Outland Trophy
Rimington Trophy
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Jr., TE
John Mackey Award
CFPA Tight End Trophy
Micah Hyde, Sr., DB
Bednarik Award
Bronko Nagurski Award
CFPA Defensive Back Trophy
Mike Meyer, Jr., PK
Lou Groza Award
CFPA Special Teams Trophy
CFPA Placekicker Trophy
Tanner Miller, Jr., DB
CFPA Defensive Back Trophy
James Morris, Jr., LB
Bednarik Award
Butkus Award
Rotary Lombardi Award
James Vandenberg, Sr., QB
Maxwell Award
CFPA Quarterback Trophy