Two Iowa football players appear on additional preseason watch lists for the 2012 season.

Iowa offensive lineman James Ferentz, who appears on the Rimington Trophy watch list, was named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list on Thursday. The trophy is presented to the best interior lineman in college football, and the winner is determined by the Football Writers Association of America. Ferentz earned honorable-mention Big Ten honors in 2011 after starting 26 games in a row at center.

Cornerback Micah Hyde has also racked up preseason honors by making it on the Bednarik and College Football Performance Awards lists, and he was also named to the Bronko Nagurski watch list.

The Nagurski honors are given to the best defensive player in college football, as determined by the writers’ association and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Hyde started in all 13 games in 2011 — two at free safety and the rest at cornerback. The senior-to-be tallied 72 blocks and 3 interceptions last season, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.

— by Molly Irene Olmstead