IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson has been named to the 2016 Outland Trophy Watch List. The announcement was made Friday by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually by the FWAA, honors the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman in college football. Former Hawkeye standout and NFL first-round selection Brandon Scherff won the honor in 2014. Iowa has had four players in its history earn the award, tying for third most by any school with Ohio State. Austin Blythe, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, was named to last year’s Outland Trophy Watch List.
Since redshirting as a freshman in 2012, Johnson (6-foot-4, 310-pounds) has seen action in 34 games for the Hawkeyes, starting all 14 games last season. The Lombard, Illinois, native recorded 45 tackles during last year’s historic campaign, including 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks — a total that tied for third most on the team.
Johnson and the Iowa defense limited opposing rushers to 11 touchdowns last season, the seventh lowest total in the country. The Hawkeyes yielded an average of 121.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 15th nationally, and limited their opponents to 3.6 yards per carry — 24th best in the country.
Following a year that saw the Hawkeyes go undefeated in the regular season, win a program-high 12 games, and reach its first Rose Bowl since 1991, Johsnon garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both the league coaches and media.
Finalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on Nov. 22 with the winner announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 8. The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be held on Jan. 11, 2017, in Omaha, Neb.
Johnson and the Hawkeyes open the 2016 season at home against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 3 inside Kinnick Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the UI Athletic Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS, or online at hawkeyesports.com.