Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18 | Hawk Talk Monthly — Dec. 2017
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 the Associated Press.
Jewell was also named the Associated Press Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Jewell and Jackson, senior offensive lineman Sean Welsh was named second-team offense by the panel of 25 writers and broadcasters throughout the Big Ten.
Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was named to the first team after earning first-team honors by Big Ten coaches and media, Associated Press, and College Sports Madness. He leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Senior CLASS Award. Jewell was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. He was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award on Nov. 27.
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. Jackson is a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was named first team All-American by College Sports Madness.
Welsh, a native of Springboro, Ohio, started all 12 games for the Hawkeyes, playing both right guard and right tackle. Welsh helped the Hawkeyes post a season high 313 rushing yards in a 56-14 victory at Nebraska in the regular season finale. Iowa’s offensive line allowed only 22 sacks, tied for fifth in the Big Ten.
Iowa (7-5) is bowl eligible for the 16th time in the last 17 seasons. The Hawkeyes will meet Boston College (7-5) in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 (4:15 p.m. CT).
