Three Iowa Football Players Selected On SI Publishers' All-Big Ten Team
Three Iowa players were honored on the Sports Illustrated Publishers' Preseason All-Big Ten Team, released Monday.
Keith Duncan, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Alaric Jackson were selected by the group of Big Ten publishers within the Sports Illustrated Network. Duncan was selected as the kicker, Jackson was one of the offensive tackles chosen, and Smith-Marsette was named to the team as a kick returner.
Duncan was a consensus All-American in 2019, earning five first-team honors and two second-team selections. Duncan led the nation with 29 made field goals to set the Iowa and Big Ten single-season record, and his total ranks sixth all-time in NCAA history.
Duncan made three or more field goals in five games, with four in wins over Iowa State and Purdue.
Duncan was the Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year in the Big Ten, one of three Lou Groza Award finalists, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by coaches and media, and an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Jackson started at left tackle in 10 games last season, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors by Phil Steele and third-team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches and media. He missed three games to injury. Jackson, a Detroit, Michigan, native, was named to Iowa’s 2020 Leadership Group earlier this summer and was a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection by Athlon Sports.
Smith-Marsette led Iowa in receiving yards and touchdown receptions, while ranking second on the team in receptions. Smith-Marsette led the Big Ten and ranked fourth in the nation with a 29.6-yard kickoff return average on 17 returns last season.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was named the preseason offensive player of the year. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons was named the preseason defensive player of the year. Ohio State's Ryan Day was chosen as the preseason coach of the year.
Ohio State was picked to win the Big Ten East Division title and the conference championship. Wisconsin was selected as the West Division champion.
The team
Offense
Quarterback — Justin Fields (Ohio State). Running backs — Journey Brown (Penn State) and Elijah Collins (Michigan State). Wide receivers — Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) and Rondale Moore (Purdue). Tight end — Pat Freiermuth (Penn State). Tackles — Cole Van Lanen (Wisconsin) and Alaric Jackson (Iowa). Guards — Wyatt Davis (Ohio State) and Blaise Andries (Minnesota). Center — Josh Myers (Ohio State)
Defense
Defensive line — George Karlaftis (Purdue), Kwity Paye (Michigan), Shaka Toney (Penn State), Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan). Linebackers — Micah Parsons (Penn State), Paddy Fisher (Northwestern), Jack Sanborn (Wisconsin), Cameron McGrone (Michigan). Cornerbacks — Shawn Wade (Ohio State) and Ambry Thomas (Michigan). Safeties — Eric Burrell (Wisconsin) and Dax Hill (Michigan).
Special teams
Kicker — Keith Duncan (Iowa). Punter — Blake Hayes (Illinois). Kick returner — Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Iowa). Punt returner — Rondale Moore (Purdue)
