9 Hawkeyes Named AP All-Big Ten

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nine University of Iowa football student-athletes – junior Kaleb Johnson, senior Jay Higgins, senior Connor Colby, senior Kaden Wetjen, junior Gennings Dunker, senior Logan Jones, senior Sebastian Castro senior Jermari Harris and freshman Rhys Dakin — have been named Associated Press All-Big Ten selections, it was announced Tuesday by the AP.

Iowa had five first-team selections — Castro, Colby, Higgins, Johnson and Wetjen — the most of any team in the expanded 18-team league. Johnson and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren were the only unanimous first-team selections by the voting panel of 21 media members who cover the conference.

Johnson, who is the 2024 Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, a first-team All-Big Ten honoree and a Doak Walker Award finalist, had a historic year. He posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). Johnson rushed for 1,537 yards in 12 games in 2024, sixth-most in the country and third-most in program history. The native of Hamilton, Ohio, scored at least one touchdown in all 12 regular season games — the longest stretch in school history. He had seven games in 2024 with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history.

Higgins was recognized as the 2024 Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten last week. Higgins, who was a semifinalist for three national awards (Lombardi, Butkus, Lott IMPACT), is the only player in the nation with 100+ tackles and four interceptions. His four picks are tied for the most amongst linebackers from a Power 4 conference. Higgins has been a tackling machine for Iowa’s defense, racking up 118 tackles — second most in the Big Ten and 13th-most nationally. The Indianapolis native has been a leader on an Iowa defense that is ninth nationally, allowing 17.1 points per game.

Wetjen, who is the 2024 Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and finalist for the Jet Award, leads the nation with 888 combined kick return yards (next most is 674 yards). He is second in the FBS in punt return yards (312) and sixth in kickoff return yards (576). The native of Williamsburg, Iowa, native had an 85-yard punt return for a score against Northwestern, the seventh-longest in school history. Wetjen had 100+ kickoff return yards in three straight games (Washington, Michigan State and Northwestern) in 2024, a first by a Hawkeye since at least 1978.

was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. The unit allowed just 15 sacks and helped Iowa rush for 2,599 yards, the most since 2002. The Hawkeyes have rushed for 200+ yards in a program record eight games and led the Big Ten in rushing for just the fourth time in program history.

Colby is a four-year starter on the offensive line, starting all 12 games in 2024. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native has started 49 career games, which ties Austin Blythe for second-most in program history. Colby was a first-team all-conference selection by both the coaches and media last week.

Dunker started 10 games at tackle, while Jones has 38 career starts at center, including all 12 in 2024. Dunker was a second-team all-conference honoree by the coaches and recognized on the third-team by the media, while Jones was a first-team selection by the media and second-team honoree by the coaches last week.

Castro and Harris, both sixth-year senior defensive backs, were both honored as third-team all-conference honorees last week by both the coaches and media. Castro’s 56 tackles are fourth-most on the team. The native of Oak Lawn, Illinois, also had an interception, three tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry. Harris shared the team lead with seven pass break-ups. The Chicago native also registered 27 tackles, including one for loss, and had three interceptions, including a pick-six.

Dakin is averaging 44.2 yards on 60 punts, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 25th nationally. Thirty-one of his punts have been fair caught, 27 have been downed inside the 20 and 16 have traveled 50+ yards. Only five of his punts have been touchbacks. Dakin, who was a second-team all-conference selection by the media and third-team by the coaches, had four consecutive punts either downed or fair caught inside the 6-yard line against Northwestern, with one of the punts ultimately resulting in a safety.

The Hawkeyes will play No. 19 Missouri on Dec. 30, 2024, in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville. The game will start at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and be televised on ESPN.