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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewell and junior defensive back Josh Jackson have been named first-team All-Big Ten by a vote of league coaches and media. The defensive honorees were announced by the Big Ten Conference on Tuesday. Offensive award winners will be announced Wednesday, with individual awards being announced Thursday.
In addition to Jewell and Jackson, sophomore defensive end Anthony Nelson was named a third team selection by conference media and was honorable mention by coaches. Senior defensive tackle Nathan Bazata and senior outside linebacker Ben Niemann were honorable mention selections by both coaches and media. Senior safety Miles Taylor is Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award recipient.
Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was named to the first team after earning second team honors in each of the past two seasons. He leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He is one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, and is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. Jewell is a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. He was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award on Monday.
Jewell is the third Hawkeye in program history to have three seasons with at least 115 tackles (Larry Station 83, 84, 85; Abdul Hodge 03, 04, 05). Jewell has led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016). Jewell has 426 career tackles, fifth all-time in program history.
Jackson, a native of Corinth, Texas, is tied as the national leader with seven interceptions and earned all-conference recognition for the first time. He leads the nation with 25 passes defended and is tied for second in interception return touchdowns (two), and pass break-ups (18). He ranks third in interception return yards (163). Jackson’s seven interceptions rank fourth best for a single season at Iowa, just one from tying Iowa’s single-season record (Desmond King, 2015; Lou King, 1981; Nile Kinnick, 1939).
Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with two interception returns for touchdowns (B.J. Lowery, 2013) at Wisconsin, covering 43 and 52 yards. The previous week, Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with three interceptions in Iowa’s 55-24 win over No. 3 Ohio State. Jackson also had a forced fumble at Wisconsin, and a blocked field goal in a win over North Texas. He has started all 12 games this season and recorded 47 tackles.
