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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewell has been named midseason first team All-America by as many as four news outlets, including the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBSSports.com, and the All-American website.
Jewell is one of three defensive players (DL Bradley Chubb, N.C. State; DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama) named on all four outlets.
Jewell leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh in the nation with 70 tackles. His 9.5 tackles-for-loss (39 yards) ranks second in the Big Ten. Jewell has 42 tackles over his last three games played.
Jewell has led Iowa in tackles in each of the last two seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016). His 2017 totals include 2.5 sacks (24 yards), 9.5 tackles for loss, six pass break-ups, one interception, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble.
Jewell (6-foot-2, 236-pounds), a native of Decorah, Iowa, matched his career high with 16 tackles against Penn State and Michigan State. Against Penn State, Jewell recorded 11 solo stops and three tackles-for-loss. He also had his fifth career interception, a 33-yard return leading to Iowa’s first touchdown of the game. Jewell recovered a fumble in the second half and finished the game with two pass break-ups. Penn State, now ranked second in the nation, scored on the final play of the game to defeat Iowa 21-19.
Against Michigan State, Jewell recorded six solo stops and 10 assists, including a shared sack and three tackles for loss. He also had a forced fumble as the Hawkeye defense held the Spartans to three points over the final three quarters.
Jewell began his senior season with 14 tackles in a 24-3 win over Wyoming. He had seven solo tackles and seven assists against the Cowboys, with two sacks and 2.5 tackles-for-loss, to go with one pass break-up. Jewell added seven tackles in Iowa’s overtime win at Iowa State and 31-14 win over North Texas. He had 10 tackles in Iowa’s most recent outing, a 45-16 win over Illinois.
Jewell earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play against Wyoming and Penn State. He was the Bednarik Award National Defensive Player of the Week in both outings. Jewell earned the national defensive honor from the Lott IMPACT Trophy in the win over Wyoming and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy national award (through the FWAA) following his performance against Penn State.
Jewell has 371 career tackles to rank eighth all-time in program history. He has 17 career games with double digit tackles.
The Hawkeyes (4-2, 1-2) play at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday. Kickoff is at 11:01 a.m. The game is televised on ESPN2.
