IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson has been named to the Academic All-America first team, while defensive end Parker Hesse has been named second team Academic All-America. The announcement was made Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Hesse and Nelson are both members of Iowa’s 2017 Leadership Group.
Nelson (6-foot-7, 260 pounds) is a sophomore from Urbandale, Iowa (Waukee). He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2016 and 2017. Nelson holds a 3.89 GPA and is an accounting major.
Nelson started all 12 regular season games in 2017. He is tied for eighth in the Big Ten with six sacks, matching his total from a year ago. Nelson recorded 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one blocked field goal (Penn State) while earning third team All-Big Ten honors.
Hesse (6-foot-3, 257 pounds) is a junior from Waukon, Iowa (Waukon). Hesse carries a 3.72 GPA and has earned his degree in interdepartmental studies. He was named Academic All-Big Ten in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Hesse earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2016 and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by BTN.com in 2015.
Hesse has started all 12 games this season and has 33 career starts. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten in forced fumbles (two) and has a career-best 10 tackles for loss. He has totaled 22 solo tackles and 17 assists, 3.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass break-ups.
In the last 19 seasons, under UI head coach Kirk Ferentz, 27 Iowa football student-athletes have combined to earn academic All-District and All-America recognition on 50 occasions. In 2017, 41 members of the Iowa football program earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition.
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). Tickets are available at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.
