June 18, 2013
- Read the June issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPad/iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Four members of the University of Iowa football team have been named to Athlon Sports’ Preseason All-Big Ten teams. WR Jordon Cotton (first team/kick return specialist), LB James Morris (second team/defense), PK Mike Meyer (second team/kicker) and OL Brandon Scherff (third team/offense) each earned preseason accolades from Athlon Sports.
Cotton, a senior, led the Big Ten last season and ranked 14th nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 28.2 yards in 19 attempts. The Mount Pleasant, Iowa, native had a 92-yard kickoff return against Penn State, which ties as the 10th longest return in program history. Cotton was a first team All-Big Ten kick returner by CollegeSportsMadness.com last season. Cotton also had 12 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown in 2012.
Morris, a senior from Solon, Iowa, was named to the second All-Big Ten defensive team. Last season he ranked third in the Big Ten and 31st in the nation in tackles per game (9.4). He ranks 16th in career tackles (293). He was named a Permanent Team Captain in 2012 while earning the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award and the Players Choice Award on defense. Morris earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and junior after being named Freshman All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com as a freshman. Morris has been a starting linebacker for the Hawkeyes since his true freshman season in 2010.
Meyer – a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award the past two seasons – is a second team All-Big Ten selection. Hailing from Dubuque, Iowa, Meyer ranks fifth in career scoring with 235 points. His 45 career field goals are tied for fifth best in school history. Meyer has made 81 consecutive PATs to set a school record. Meyer made 17-of-21 field goals in 2012, and was named a permanent team captain.
Scherff, a junior from Denison, Iowa, is an All-Big Ten third team selection. He started seven games at left tackle last season before missing the remainder of the season due to injury. Scherff played every offensive down in Iowa’s first six games before suffering a season-ending injury in the first quarter against Penn State.
Iowa opens the 2013 season against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31 at 2:30 p.m. (CT).